From policy to practice: Provincial outreach to optimize the Clinical Nurse Specialist workforce in British Columbia
Leads: Leah Lambert, Sandra Lauck
This project is funded by Michael Smith Health Research BC.
The purpose of this project is to accelerate the uptake and widespread dissemination of new evidence CNS workforce project.
Background:
The project is designed to maximize the uptake of evidence-based and pragmatic solutions to optimize the CNS workforce in BC. CNSs are a unique group of nursing leaders with specialized clinical expertise. They work across the healthcare system to improve patient outcomes and health service delivery. CNSs also contribute at leadership tables to advance the nursing profession and meet evolving healthcare needs. Our project will drive meaningful, system-wide improvements that benefit both patients and the broader nursing workforce in BC and beyond.
Project Objectives | ||||
1.Co-develop and implement targeted KT activities to share the CNS workforce research findings with senior leaders, CNS community and other key stakeholders across BC who can directly apply the evidence to optimize the deployment and support of CNS roles. | 2.Disseminate the ‘made-in-BC’ policy recommendations and practice-ready strategies to diverse audiences across the province's health authorities, professional associations, and educational institutions. This will enable stakeholders to implement evidence-based solutions that strengthen and support the CNS workforce in addressing critical healthcare system needs. | 3.Build sustainable KT capacity among nursing trainees, early career researchers, and health professionals by actively engaging them to effectively turn evidence into action. | ||
Extending reach: The proposed activities are designed to enhance KT and uptake:
Phase 1: Collaborative development of a practice-ready “BC CNS Workforce Toolkit” to facilitate the implementation of the policy recommendations, including
(1) academic and clinical preparation guidance,
(2) ideal reporting structures,
(3) standardized job description and recommendations for recruitment strategies,
(4) orientation, mentorship and professional development pathways,
(5) detailed guidance on how to achieve effective organizational integration, and
(6) impact metrics to inform a CNS evaluation framework.
Phase 2: Series of implementation planning workshops, including sessions tailored for individual health authorities, CNS and other partners, culminating in a “BC CNS Workforce Summit” to collectively finalize and operationalize the translational activities.
If you are interested in participating in this work or would like to learn more, please contact the project coordinator at lilia.laihem@bccancer.bc.ca
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