Making health promotion evidenced-informed: an organizational priority.

This large urban health unit identified a need for explicit, strategic, long-term organizational priority toward practical application of evidence in health promotion practice. Becoming a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO®) candidate provided an opportunity to systematically implement this commitment. The primary goals were to support incorporation of evidence-informed practice throughout the organization, increase interprofessional collaboration, and provide opportunities for knowledge exchange for staff. A mixed-methods evaluation consisting of three phases, including an analysis of previous evaluations, a survey of Champions, and an online focus group with the Steering Committee, demonstrated very positive outcomes. Staff reported increased incorporation of evidence in practice and program delivery. Collaboration and consultation amongst interdisciplinary staff across program areas also increased and staff responded very positively to increased opportunities for knowledge exchange. BPSO® candidacy opportunities should be used by health organizations to increase evidence-informed practice and inspire excellence in health promotion practice.

The Top 30 Rising Stars Program: an inter-organizational approach to leadership succession planning.

An effective leadership development program is an organizational investment that advances individual performance while strengthening organizational capabilities. The Top 30 Rising Stars Program is a leadership succession program designed to enable leadership capacity building within and across organizations. Key components of the program include formal learning, stretch opportunities, and mentorship. Evaluation results reveal high participant satisfaction and an increase in reported self-confidence in their ability to assume a formal leadership position.

Advancing Excellence in Community Health Nursing Through Evidence-Based National Standards of Practice.

BACKGROUND: Current standards of practice are necessary to ensure safe nursing practice in Canada and across the world. This article aimed to describe and present findings from the rigorous review process undertaken to update the 2011 Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice. METHOD: A revision process included a scoping review of the literature, focus groups, and a modified Delphi method. RESULTS: Through the inclusive consultation process, 495 community health nurses enhanced the content of the standards with respect to cultural safety, cultural humility, Indigenous health and ways of knowing, health equity, and evidence-informed practice. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive revision process can guide other nursing specialty groups developing or revising specialized practice standards in Canada and across the world. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(4):168-175.].

Three Decades of Professional Nursing Leadership: The Impact of the Community Health Nurses of Canada.

In 1987, six Canadian community health nursing leaders recognized the need for a national body to represent and advocate for the diverse practice of community health nursing and the health of communities. Their vision and action three decades ago resulted in the formation of the Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC), a national professional nursing association. This paper will describe the development of CHNC from an early vision to a recognized centre of excellence for community health nursing in Canada. Significant milestones described include developing structures to advance excellence in practice, creating and acting on a vision, advancing leadership capacity, supporting professional development and promoting best practice, advancing community health nursing in undergraduate education and advocating for health policy.

Community health nursing vision for 2020: shaping the future.

As health care is shifting from hospital to community, community health nurses (CHNs) are directly affected. This descriptive qualitative study sought to understand priority issues currently facing CHNs, explore development of a national vision for community health nursing, and develop recommendations to shape the future of the profession moving toward the year 2020. Focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted across Canada. Five key themes were identified: community health nursing in crisis now, a flawed health care system, responding to the public, vision for the future, and CHNs as solution makers. Key recommendations include developing a common definition and vision of community health nursing, collaborating on an aggressive plan to shift to a primary health care system, developing a comprehensive social marketing strategy, refocusing basic baccalaureate education, enhancing the capacity of community health researchers and knowledge in community health nursing, and establishing a community health nursing center of excellence.