Nursing Research

The ANA Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research & Quality Management promotes, supports, and advocates for the advancement of interprofessional, practice-based nursing research. In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and guided by the ANA Enterprise Research Advisory Council, we focus on moving forward our research priorities in nursing by providing education opportunities and resources, supporting key research projects, promoting collaboration, and leading the profession to meet the current and future needs of nursing and health care.

ANAE Research Advisory Council’s Mission and strategic priorities align with the ANA Enterprise Mission, Vision and values. Research Council Mission is to shape the future of nursing and health care by building capacity for a culture of inquiry that advances interprofessional, practice-based research.

DOWNLOAD ANA Enterprise RESEARCH PRIORITIES

Strategic priorities include:

Health care access
Safety and quality of care
Health and well-being of nurses
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Professional identity development
Environmental sustainability

ANA Enterprise Research Symposium

Elevating Nursing Through Innovation and Research Register Now

The American Nurses Association Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research and Quality Management invites staff nurses, RNs/APRNs, clinical nurse scientists and other researchers, research fellows/residents and mentors, faculty, administrators, educators, and students to submit a podium or poster presentation proposal for the ANA Enterprise 2024 Research Symposium, Elevating Nursing Through Innovation and Research. The full-day symposium will be held on October 29, 2024, as a pre-conference to the ANCC National Magnet Conference® and Pathway to Excellence Conference® in New Orleans, LA.

The symposium focuses on disseminating nurse-led research findings and stimulating discussion among attendees to advance nursing research. This year’s theme emphasizes the role of innovative approaches in nursing research. There will be three tracks of panel presentations, dedicated time for poster presentations, and keynote presentations by nationally renowned nurse leaders.

See what attendees said about the 2023 ANA Enterprise Research Symposium.

The Call for Proposals Closed on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PT

Economic Value of Nursing

Overview

Ensuring the visibility of nursing's value contribution to the global healthcare economy is paramount. It entails a paradigm shift, recognizing nursing not merely as a labor cost but as a revenue-generator within healthcare systems. By advocating for investments in the nursing workforce that align with the economic value nurses provide, we can create a healthcare ecosystem where nurses are viewed as both essential caregivers and strategic assets—key drivers of improved patient outcomes and financial sustainability in healthcare institutions worldwide.

In pursuit of enhancing the visibility of nursing's value contribution to the global healthcare economy, the ANA Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research and Quality Management is spearheading an Economic Value of Nursing Research Project, a 2-year study (Ref.: ANA Enterprise Research Advisory Council Strategic Research Priorities).

The purpose of the Economic Value of Nursing Project is to:

Develop a conceptual model of the Economic Value of Nursing focusing on the structures and processes that contribute to the economic value of nursing. This model will drive a forward-thinking definition of economic value of nursing.
Conduct a systematic review of studies related to the economic value of nursing. Summarize research questions, patient and nurse populations, methods, measurement, and findings, including gaps in science.
Validate/refine the conceptual model and recommendations for measurement of the economic value of nursing based on recommendations from a diverse group of researchers.
Conduct a proof-of-concept study of the conceptual/measurement model.

The Nursing Human Capital Value Model

June 27, 2024 - The Significance of the Model

The Cycle of Value Generation

Imagine a healthcare system where nurses are valued as indispensable workers and empowered professionals, with their skills and knowledge continually nurtured and economically recognized. This vision is at the heart of the model developed by Dr. Marianne Weiss and Dr. Olga Yakusheva, emphasizing the critical role of nursing human capital in generating value for healthcare organizations.

Nurses are often described as the heartbeat of healthcare. Their dedication, skills, and compassion drive patient care and organizational success. Fair remuneration, continuous training, and direct reimbursement for their work are crucial. When nurses are adequately compensated, it not only acknowledges their invaluable contribution but also fosters a more innovative and prosperous healthcare system.

The Power of Investing in Nursing Human Capital

When nurses receive ongoing training and education, they are better equipped to provide high-quality care. This leads to improved patient outcomes, higher satisfaction, and a safer healthcare environment. Weiss and Yakusheva’s model illustrates a cycle where initial investments in nurses lead to enhanced performance. This improved performance translates to better patient care, which in turn boosts the organization’s success. Financial savings and increased revenues from these improvements can be reinvested into further developing nursing human capital, sustaining a cycle of continuous value generation.

Why Investing in Nurses Matters

Consider a healthcare facility that decides to invest in specialized training for its nursing staff, focusing on the latest techniques in patient care and management. As a result, nurses are more confident and capable in their roles. They can manage complex patient cases more effectively, reducing complications and hospital readmissions. This not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances the hospital’s reputation as a center of excellence. Patients receive better care, recover faster, and report higher satisfaction.

Additionally, this investment and economic recognition fosters a positive work environment, reducing nurse turnover and burnout. Satisfied and well-supported nurses are more likely to stay with the organization, further contributing to its success. Investing in nurses enhances productivity, innovation, and efficiency, ultimately benefiting the entire healthcare system.

A Vision for the Future

This innovative model shows us that investing in nursing human capital is not just beneficial—it’s essential. A strategic, long-term reinvestment approach ensures nurses stay current with the latest advancements, fostering an environment of growth and development. Nurses are empowered to lead change, which in turn strengthens the entire system, enhancing its capability to deliver superior patient care and maintain a competitive edge.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts, insights, and ideas. Together, we can move this discussion forward and ensure a brighter future for healthcare.

feedback form: Economic Value of Nursing Project

May 29, 2024 - Unlocking the Value of Nursing in Healthcare

In the world of healthcare, where quality and efficiency are paramount, a revolution is brewing—one that directly impacts nurses and the care they provide. It's called value-based payment reform. The model proposed by researchers Dr. Olga Yakusheva and Dr. Marianne Weiss and supported by the ANA Enterprise through the Institute of Nursing Research and Quality Management, emphasizes the critical role of nursing in healthcare and introduces the Nursing Human Capital Value Model.

Picture this: instead of just going through the motions, hospitals are now rewarded for delivering top-notch care efficiently. Good outcomes and smart spending mean more money, while poor results lead to financial penalties. Value-based payment reform is like a compass guiding all healthcare providers towards a destination where patient care isn't just about procedures, but about outcomes and efficiency.

Nurses are the backbone of patient care, providing the hands-on support that directly impacts outcomes. They're also savvy when it comes to spotting inefficiencies and waste. Yet, in this evolving landscape, nurses find themselves in a tricky spot. While they're essential for quality care, they're also a significant portion of a hospital's expenses. And when budgets get tight, guess who's often first in line for cuts?

According to Yakusheva and Weiss, it's not just about providing excellent care; it's about showing how that care translates into better outcomes and savings for the organization.

The Nursing Human Capital Value Model recognizes that nurses aren't just cogs in a machine; they're the engine driving it forward. By investing in nurses—through education, support, and development—we're not just ensuring quality care; we're creating a cycle of value that benefits everyone.

The Nursing Human Capital Value Model draws from three foundational economic theories: human capital theory, production theory, and value theory. It starts with nursing as a crucial asset, adding value to healthcare delivery. It then directly connects nurses' attributes and allocation to healthcare quality, volume output, and organizational finances.

This innovative approach to nursing's economic value establishes a value creation cycle through investment in nursing human capital, resulting in enhanced care delivery, improved outcomes, and organizational revenue growth, all of which underscore the importance of investing in nursing for sustainable value generation across healthcare systems. When nurses thrive, patients thrive, and so do organizations. It's a win-win-win.

As stated by Dr. Yakusheva at the Re-imagining the Economic Value of Nursing Summit: “By advocating for their own economic value, nurses are enabling themselves, and our healthcare system, to provide the highest quality, affordable, equitable care that our patients and families need.”

You are welcome to contribute your thoughts, insights, ideas, or comments. Together, we can move this conversation forward.

feedback form: Economic Value of Nursing Project

May 15, 2024 - Economic Value of Nursing Update

Recently, the ANA Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research and Quality Management hosted a summit focusing on redefining the economic value of nursing. The event sparked meaningful discussions, shifting the perspective from viewing nurses merely as labor costs to recognizing them as invaluable human capital.

The discussion included the persistent hurdles like poor working conditions, inadequate staffing levels, and limited autonomy faced by nurses. It delved into the intricacies of these challenges and the shortcomings of current economic models in adequately valuing nursing. Often, these models overlook the multifaceted and nuanced responsibilities shouldered by nurses, failing to capture the true essence of their vital contributions.

It was emphasized that supporting and investing in nurses not only improves patient care but also enhances their job satisfaction and well-being. A standout topic was the innovative ways in which nurses are seen not just as caregivers but as key drivers of healthcare innovation and revenue generators. Therefore, the need for models that more accurately reflect the value nurses bring to healthcare, considering their contributions to team dynamics, process improvements, and operational efficiency.

"The Nursing Human Capital Model” below was proposed and critically evaluated, with experts calling for a shift in how the value of nursing is calculated and perceived. Overall, the summit served as a call to action for the healthcare community to rethink and transform how the economic value of nursing is defined and integrated into healthcare planning and policy. The event was not only inspiring but also set the stage for future advancements in recognizing and supporting the vital role that nurses play in the healthcare system.

You are welcome to contribute your thoughts, insights, ideas, or comments. Together, we can move this conversation forward.

Feedback Form: Economic Value of Nursing project

April 18, 2024 - Summit to Re-Imagine the Economic Value of Nursing

Press Release

Magnet Model Review

Press release

In response to the persistent challenge of nurse shortages, the Commission on Magnet® supported by the ANA Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research and Quality Management is now embarking on an exhaustive review of the Magnet Model to assess its current evidence base, standards, and to identify emerging evidence necessitating updates.

Multi-site Research Playbook

A practical guide to support multi-site research studies for greater impact.

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Abstract

Rigorous, high-quality nursing research creates an evidence base that advances nursing practice, shapes health policy, and contributes to improving nurse, patient, and system outcomes. Yet, too often, nurse researchers conduct studies that are narrow in scope, underpowered, or lack elements such as a comparison group, thereby limiting generalizability of results and application in practice. Multi-site studies offer the opportunity to increase the rigor of research and the generalizability of findings.

Multi-site studies leverage the power of Magnet® and other research-engaged nursing organizations to conduct research across multiple units and settings. Options for research designs are expanded with larger and more diverse samples. These studies require more planning and coordination, yet also provide opportunities to increase staff engagement in the research process, grow research capacity within and among organizations, and address research questions that cannot be effectively evaluated through a single-site study.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), in collaboration with the ANCC Research Council, has facilitated multi-site research studies since 2010 as a strategy to increase research capacity within organizations and to help organizations credentialed through the Magnet Recognition Program® meet criterion requirements. Lessons learned from these multi-site studies have been collated into this practical research playbook, creating a road map for nurse researchers at all levels and across all types of settings.

The target audiences for this playbook are hospital and health system researchers from organizations where nurses practice, nurse administrators who lead research-engaged health care organizations, and nurse researchers from academia who partner with these entities to conduct practice-relevant nursing research. The playbook is not intended to be a comprehensive textbook for multi-site studies, but rather a practical guidebook. The hope is that readers are inspired by the contents to consider opportunities to develop multi-site studies when appropriate to their research questions.