VCU Health System launches Institute for Innovative Nursing Practices

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University Health System hosted a nationally recognized expert in nursing education and workforce issues as the inaugural speaker for its newly established Institute for Innovative Nursing Practice.

A major component of the Institute is Nursing Grand Rounds, a series of lectures dedicated to providing professional nurses with the opportunities and resources to acquire cutting edge innovations - research and real world advances in clinical practices - that will lead to better patient care.

"The institute is a new chapter in our ongoing commitment to nursing education and professional practice development," said John F. Duval, chief executive officer, MCV Hospitals of the VCU Health System. "As technology advances and research generates new practices, we have a forum to highlight new ideas, with our nurses and the nursing community at large."

Nursing experts with national reputations will be invited to VCU Medical Center eight times during 2004 to present their knowledge through a Nursing Grand Rounds presentation. In addition to lectures, the invited faculty will make walking rounds on patient care units to interact with staff nurses, discuss patient and family care issues, and review procedures, policies and care guidelines.

"The Institute is an example of the VCU Medical Center investing its money well," said Carol M. Crosby, vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer, VCU Health System. "We value our clinical nurses and are committed to investing in their continued acquisition of evidence-based knowledge and skills."

The IINP inaugural speaker was Fran Roberts, R.N., Ph.D., vice president for professional services, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.

Roberts' lecture, From a Vicious Cycle Towards a Cycle for Success: Health Careers for a Lifetime, contended that nearly 170,000 hospital positions are currently unfilled and 75 percent of those vacancies are nurses. During the hour-long presentation in the Dr. Hermes Kontos Auditorium in the Medical Sciences Building, Roberts highlighted how financial pressures and staffing decisions made in the 1990's have had enduring impacts on hospitals and the skilled healthcare workforce, particularly nurses.

"For every eight nurses who retire, three new nurses complete nursing school," said Roberts. "Match this with the exploding U.S. population and a population that is aging, you can see how our nursing shortage is turning into a healthcare crisis that is closer than ever."

Roberts earned Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing and psychiatry from Elmhurst College in Illinois. She earned her Master of Science degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, and her doctoral degree in nursing from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.

The next three Nursing Grand Rounds are already set. Donna Wright, president of the National Nursing Staff Development Organization and a consultant with Creative Healthcare Leadership from Minneapolis will visit VCU Medical Center Jan. 27, 2004. Marcia Piotrowski, clinical risk manager with Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System will discuss the importance of safe practices on Feb. 17; and Judith Paice, director of the cancer pain program at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago will discuss pain management, myths, lies and legends on March 8. An advisory group of nursing leaders and staff will develop speaking agendas for IINP based on the learning needs of nurses in all areas of practice.

Attendance at future Nursing Grand Rounds is free to VCU Health System employees and VCU students. Nursing professionals from the community may also attend for a $5 fee. Information about future Nursing Grand Rounds may be found on-line at InstituteforNursing@mcvh-vcu.edu, or by calling the Department of Education and Professional Development at (804) 828-0418.