SPECIAL SESSION: Science Supporting the Practice of Acute/Critical Care Nursing

Description/Overview: This is truly an exciting time for nurse scientists who support the practice of nursing. Numerous investigations now link nurse-led interventions to improved patient outcomes. These data support a new reconfigured autonomous role for nurses practicing within acute care environments. This session will invite the audience to share a vision for acute care nursing practice; one that is patient and family centered, one where nurses create a healing environment for patients and their families, one where nursing practice is differentiated based on nursing expertise, and one where the practice of nursing is supported by systems that enhance nursing’s capacity to optimize patient and family outcomes. This vision of nursing practice is supported by Nursing Science.