The Power of Nurses to Transform Health

Throughout the year, we celebrate all the wonderful contributions nurses and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) make at the bedside and beyond. The dedication and compassionate care these professionals show to patients and patient families is inspiring and makes a difference to the patient and patient family experience.

Some of the many reasons nurses and APPs are important in healthcare are:

1. They develop treatment plans alongside other health care providers to give comprehensive care to patients and families.
2. They work to promote health and prevent disease by giving treatments, education and counseling.
3. They help patients and families cope with illnesses and diseases so they can live more fully.
4. They observe patient’s status, assess changes in conditions and symptoms, and monitor patient’s reactions and progress for improvement.
5. They educate patients and families and provide accurate information in language that is easily understood.
6. They get to know their patients on a personal level which allows them to support them more effectively.
7. They coordinate care for their patients and families, especially with complex diseases or illnesses, to make navigating the health care system easier.

The nurses and APPs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital make up the largest group of staff (over 4000!) and play pivotal roles in our vision to Lead the Journey to Best Outcomes for children everywhere and transform health in the process.

Our nurses deliver exceptional care across many settings and specialties. Over 92% of our nurses and APPs provide direct care to patients and families. In addition to the hospital, peri-operative and Emergency Department settings, care is given to patients in home settings by our home health nurses and our Specialty Clinics and Primary Care locations, to name a few. I get so many accolades for our nurses and APPs for their specialized knowledge, care, compassion and how they make a positive and lasting impacts in families’ lives.

Nationwide Children’s nurses and APPs also impact beyond the bedside and point of care. We have nurses and APPs involved in education, quality initiatives, research and advocacy for all families, everywhere. Our nurses and APPs are experts, and their expertise is shared not only at Nationwide Children’s, but at the community, national, and international levels as well. I am proud and humbled to lead such an amazing group of nurses and APPs. They indeed transform health daily and are leaders in the Journey to Best Outcomes.