Unlocking the Value of Nursing in Health Care
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SILVER SPRING - 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, the ANA Enterprise Research Advisory Council, moves forward 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.
In the world of health care, 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 health care 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 health care 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 health care delivery. It then directly connects nurses' attributes and allocation to health care 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 health care 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 health care system, to provide the highest quality, affordable, equitable care that our patients and families need.”
Learn more about this project, as well as its’ strategic priorities and goals, here: Nursing Research.
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About the ANA Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research & Quality Management
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.