Karen Drenkard of the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a solution provider at the marcus evans Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012, on developing nursing excellence. Interview with: Karen Drenkard, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Executive Director, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

1. The Path to
Nursing Excellence
in the LTC Sector
It is also increasingly evident that wise colleagues in a desirable and nurturing
investment in nursing services is the environment) and benefits to patients
mo s t e ff ec t iv e wa y to ac hi ev e (improved unit effectiveness, quality
excellence. Studies show that positive patient care impact by the nurse’s
practice environments ultimately save ability to problem solve, collaborate and
money – in the form of improved staff handle conflict, and patient safety
retention and decreased turnover, outcomes – influenced by the quality of
improved nurse and customer a nurse’s work environment, mediated
satisfaction, improved quality and with burnout and engagement).
safety, and superior business results.
This results in a person-centered model
The cost of replacing a nurse is high – of care.
anywhere from one to four times that of
Interview with: Karen Drenkard, a nurse’s average salary. So LTC
PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Executive organizations that are able to improve
Director, American Nurses nurse satisfaction and retain a high
Credentialing Center (ANCC) quality nursing staff realize a significant
return on investment.
Studies show
A workplace environment that engages What is the Path to Excellence that positive
practice
and inspires nurses has a direct, Program and the optimal nursing
positive impact on nurse satisfaction practice environment?
and retention in long-term care (LTC)
facilities, says Karen Drenkard, PhD,
RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Executive Director,
ANCC’s Pathway to Excellence®
Program recognizes a healthcare
environments
American Nurses Credentialing
Center (ANCC). This positive practice
organization’s commitment to creating a
positive nursing practice environment.
ultimately
environment also improves patient
satisfaction, safety, and quality
At the program’s core are 12 practice
standards that impact the quality of save money
outcomes, she adds. LTC.
From a solution provider at the marcus Based on evidence and expert nurse
evans Long-Term Care CXO Summit input, the standards represent qualities What changes do you predict for the
Spring 2012 Drenkard shares key that both nurses and researchers agree LTC sector?
ideas for achieving the optimal nursing are critical to high quality nursing
practice environment. practice, professional development, and Our growing aging population will
job satisfaction. They include shared fundamentally transform LTC delivery
How can the quality of LTC be governance and collaborative multi- over the next 30 years. Up to a third of
improved? disciplinary decision-making at all the population will soon be over 55, and
levels, autonomy in practice, a safe and the demand for LTC will increase
The viability of LTC organizations is healthy work environment, professional dramatically. We must work now to
increasingly based on quality: quality development opportunities, fair create the positive practice
care, quality patient outcomes, and a compensation, work-life balance, and an environments and care delivery models
quality nursing environment. It is organizational commitment to quality that will prepare us to meet the needs
essential that organizations focus on improvement and evidence-based of an aging population with chronic
ways to create a practice environment practice. disease.
where nurses can thrive.
Some features that make the Pathway As we look forward, we see an emerging
The benefits of positive practice to Excellence Program unique include: community of LTC organizations that
environments on patients, nurses, benefits to nurses (recognizing what is extends around the world and a new
and organizations are well important to nursing practice, generation of global “gold standards”
documented. They impact everything demonstrating to the community a that guide quality patient care. Having
from nurse engagement and satisfaction commitment to nurses and their engaged and dedicated nurses is the
to care delivery and patient outcomes. practice and inviting nurses to join their key to making this vision a reality.

2. About the Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012
marcus evans Summits deliver
peer-to-peer information on
Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive
strategic matters, professional
meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution
trends and breakthrough
providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit
innovations.
includes presentations on the Health Care Reform, innovative quality improvement,
and staff recruitment and retention strategies.
www.longtermcaresummit.com
Contact
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About American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The mission of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is to
promote excellence in nursing and health care globally through credentialing programs. ANCC’s internationally renowned
credentialing programs certify and recognize individual nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for
promoting safe, positive work environments; and accredit continuing nursing education organizations.
For more information: www.nursecredentialing.org
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
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To view the web version of this interview please click here: www.longtermcaresummit.com/KarenDrenkard