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Exploring the impact of the implementation of a nursing clinical development unit program: What outcomes are evident?
Author(s) -
Happell Brenda,
Martin Trish
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0979.2004.0330.x
Subject(s) - unit (ring theory) , nursing , medline , psychology , medicine , political science , mathematics education , law
Nursing Clinical Development Units have become popular as a framework for the facilitation of the professional development of nursing and to contribute to improved outcomes for consumers of health care services. An exploratory evaluation of the Nursing Clinical Development Unit program implemented by the Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice was undertaken using a qualitative approach. This paper focuses on the findings relating to outcomes. A number of positive outcomes were identified including: changes within nursing practices; the development of more positive attitudes by nurses , a greater focus on research utilization and evidence‐based practice; and an increase in professional development activities , including conference presentations. Despite these positive findings , the need for more structured evaluation and an increased emphasis on dissemination of findings was identified.