Defining Professional Practice: The Evolution of the RANA Model

Abstract

Nurse leaders are reengineering delivery systems to respond to the changing health care environment and new health care values of quality, service, and reduced costs. By restructuring models of care and nursing positions, organizations are creating an improved environment of care for patients and the community. The authors describe the development and implementation of a patient-centered care model They also discuss the evolution of a unit-based leadership position with 24-hour accountability, responsibility, and authority for the patient and significant other's care and outcomes throughout the course of hospitalization. Implementation of this model and new position has been successful and the development and implementation processes have applicability to other patient populations and care settings.