Realizing the Future of Nursing: VA Nurses Tell Their Story [Paperback] Editors: Cathy Rick and Phyllis Beck Kritek

Description

This remarkable compilation of stories and experiences described by 145 VA nurses, physicians, and associated healthcare staff, as well as community partners in both academia and business, provides an extraordinary view into the nation’s largest healthcare system. There are many moving narratives that focus on specific innovations designed to improve the quality and safety of Veteran care from the “headquarters” perspective. In addition, individual VA staff shared their unique experiences from the “field” perspective. Taken together, these create a powerful picture of remarkable commitment and dedication, extreme challenges, and exceptional success. The 27 chapters contained within this book will provide healthcare executives with a unique road-map for ground-breaking strategic approaches to leadership, communication, evidenced-based practice, academic partnerships, utilizing data to drive improvements and add value, and developing a team-based, non-traditional, highly adaptable and functional workforce. The stories told in this book reflect the hard work and dedication of the Veterans Affairs nurses who provide care to our nations heroes. Four key messages outlined in the book help explain the important role of VA nurses. -Key Message 1: Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training; -Key Message 2: Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression; -Key Message 3: Nurses should be full partners, along with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States; and -Key Message 4: Effective workforce planning and policy-making require better data collection and an improved information structure.