Session Description: Key to the organizational infrastructure in implementing NDNQI data collection has been the enthusiastic oversight by the master’s prepared nurse site coordinator. This leadership has served to encourage participation, promote staff nurse access to computers, and create a systematic data collection process. Components of the year-long implementation timeline that are essential to achieving a successful survey are detailed. Participation in the NDNQI nurse satisfaction survey has been beneficial to the department of nursing and to the organization by transparent data reporting that can be benchmarked with national data. A description is given of the forums that are used to present the customized reports received from NDNQI, and how reports are used by various nursing units. In addition, taking part in quarterly data submissions on nurse-sensitive quality indicators has been advantageous to documentation requirements in the ANCC Magnet application. The process is described for collecting and reporting nurse-sensitive indicators at the unit level; and how these procedures have enabled review of data to initiate practice changes or to enhance quality of care. Addressed also is the work that has been done to put in place an electronic process for easy data access, thereby enabling review and initiation of practice change at the unit level.

Summary and Implications: The lessons learned from the nursing departments’ long participation in NDNQI data collection are shared to provide perspective on the inherent challenges and opportunities. The importance that yearly participation in NDNQI has been to the nursing department’s American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet application is given. At the same time, history and experience show that continued vigilance is essential to avoid data reporting that may be viewed as punitive. This concern and issues associated with integrating NDNQI data into the institutional performance improvement program are presented to promote discussion and problem solving. The opportunity to share information on nursing workforce issues and the relationship to quality outcomes ultimately benefits us all by showing the unique contribution nurses make to quality patient care.

Session Objectives:

Describe how one Department of Nursing is using participation in NDNQI to achieve Magnet recognition. Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with NDNQI data collection, reporting, and monitoring.