Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO)
What is a BPSO?
January 2018, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) requested a proposal submission from interested and eligible health service and academic entities located in Ontario to implement and evaluate outcomes from the integration of Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) within their institution. In the case of an academic entity like Nipissing University School of Nursing, Faculty are tasked to integrate clinical guidelines at the individual level, meaning within courses through learning activities and at the organizational level as well. Funding of $105,000 over three years is given to successful organizations.
Faculty from the Nipissing University School of Nursing responded to this RFP request and in August, 2018 were successful candidates of the funding opportunity. Faculty (11 tenured and tenure track) across all nursing programs as well as two managers, have all agreed to work as a group to carry our the project's objectives. The current conceptual approach is to integrate five clinical guidelines. Students, preceptors, and faculty are the target stakeholders for knowledge to action changes. The curriculum will be the educational platform for BPG implementation and evaluation. Specifically, a simulation approach for the School of Nursing will be established using existing pre-simulation preparation already created by Faculty within courses from both the Collaborative and RPN to BScN Blended programs. The case studies and modules (learning activities) will be shared across all programs for a unified School of Nursing simulation plan. The evaluation model will use the Kirkpatrick’s four level model of training criteria to assess learning outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative research studies will be designed to address specific inquiries related to evaluation.
Along with this curricular plan for integration of BPGs, subsidiary approaches will also be implemented. One strategy is to engage students across all programs to become best practice champions. The RNAO Nipissing Chapter along with the Nipissing University Nursing Student Society have been approached to participate in the School of Nursing’s process of becoming a Best Practice Spotlight Organization. An interprofessional approach will also be explored over the three years to provide an interprofessional lens to guideline implementation. The preparation for this venture has sparked enthusiasm and team work across all programs in the School of Nursing. Not only does this project promote collegial collaboration amongst Faculty, it will also create the research capacity within the School of Nursing.