2014-2015 Innovations Magazine

i nnovations • 26 pARTNERSHIpS Research and evidence-based practice are imperative for health care organizations to provide quality care. As we look to forward- thinking, outcome-driven health care environ- ments, it becomes apparent that seeking new knowledge and innovation needs to be em- bedded in our daily practice. Identification of problems and intensive focus on phenome- non are the basis for nursing research. NSU and Holy Cross Hospital (HCH) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, have been working together for the past eight years to promote research interests among nursing associates through the Nursing Research Council (NRC). As a Magnet-designated hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, HCH needs to meet the current Magnet Model components, one of which is New Knowl- edge, Innovation, and Improvements. Under this research and evidence-based practice standard, Magnet hospitals need to provide active and completed research studies that show growth of professional practice over time. Because it has been a Magnet hospital since 2004, research and evidence-based practice project standards are high. NRC members are asked to provide re- sources to nurses who are interested in sub- mitting a nursing research study. The council membership is made up of representation from all areas of the nursing division and pro- vides the first step in the approval process prior to the Institutional Review Board. This council’s authority provides for oversight of all nursing research studies and provides guidance as needed. Other council responsi- bilities include the development and planning of the Annual Holy Cross Hospital Nursing Research Symposium, which provides nurs- ing research information to the internal and external nursing community. Feedback from symposium attendees has revealed that HCH is seen as a leader in practice-based nursing research. Holy Cross Hospital, in partnership with NSU’s College of Nursing, provides educa- tional and supervisory oversight of nursing re- search studies through the NRC. NSU’s Dr. Patricia Dittman serves on HCH’s Nursing Research Council. As an inaugural voting member of this shared governance council, she supports the nursing division’s research trajectory by mentoring novice nurse re- searchers as well as providing ongoing edu- cation related to all aspects of the nursing research process. Candice Hickman M.S.N., R.N., who is an NSUCON alumna, has served as the NRC’s chairperson for the past three years and re- flected on the benefits of collaboration be- tween academia and practice. “I truly value the benefit of having Dr. Dittman present at our monthly NRC meetings,” she explained. “When evaluating potential research studies, Dr. Dittman’s expertise in the intricacies of safe and effective research development is invaluable to the council. We are confident that if we discuss our proposal with Dr. Dittman, she will provide valuable feedback that will strengthen our submissions to the In- structional Review Board.” As an American Nurses Credentialing Center appraiser, Dr. Dittman maintains cur- rent knowledge on the Magnet designation process and is helpful in planning the future direction of the council in meeting the Mag- net Model category of New Knowledge, In- novation, and Improvement. Dr. Dittman, who works collaboratively with Hickman and the Nursing Research Council, takes pleas- ure in observing nursing research and evi- denced-based practice growth within the HCH nursing division. As in any partnership, both organizations must benefit from the experience. One of the benefits NSU experiences is the ability to pro- vide clinical experiences for its nursing stu- dents at this Magnet-designated acute care hospital. Whether it is entry-level students’ learning clinical skills, graduate students seeking practicum experiences, or doctoral students looking for a site for their original re- search, both organizations value and grow from the partnership. This example of profes- sional collaboration is a standard that all health care organizations should attain. NSU-CON and Holy Cross Hospital By Patricia Dittman Ph.D., M.S.N., CDE Program Director, M.S.N. and Ph.D. Programs Dr. Dittman (left) and Candice Hickman COLLABORATION PROVES SYMBIOTIC