A New Pathway on the same Journey to Excellence

by Adrian Cleary, Director of Nursing, Áine Davern, Deputy Director of Nursing &
​Catriona McCahey, Assistant Director of Nursing

​Introduction
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Our Lady of Lourdes has gained vital knowledge and expertise about Magnet through education, collaboration and networking with Magnet experts. We were twined with St Elizabeths Youngstown Ohio who through shared collaborative learning, joint council participation and a site visits have supported the journey so far. We have changed how we utilise information to inform shared decision making and communicate information inputs outputs and involve sorytelling (Spomething we Irish are famous for) as a result of the M4E journey and will continue this going forward.
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Following the ANCC conference in Philadelhia in 2022 we decided to pursue Pathway to Excellence as we believe due to the work already done through M4E that we have the momentum and drive to achieve Pathway designation. Pathway has the same focus on ensuring a positive practice environment, shared decision making and culture.

We have begun the Pathway journey have linked with other Pathway hospitals and are linked to ANCC pathway experts. Based on the self -assessment tool we have identified specific areas of focus in relation to gathering evidence and action plans. Our M4E journey has provided the focus necessary for our Pathway Journey and what we hope will ultimately be a successful designation.

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​Evaluation / Outcomes / Results
Our Lady of Lourdes has had so many positive outcomes from the M4E journey so far - pivot tables for displaying data, “What to Know on the Go” education sessions, “News you can Use” monthly newsletter, four active and progressive nurse councils, advanced and specialist nursing grand rounds, Daisy awards to recognise and honour our extraordinary nurses, M4E twitter page that celebrates and fosters good news stories, education opportunities and links with the community. Pathway to Excellence will enhance, develop and drive us to continue to our ultimate goal of achieving Pathway designation. Our next steps will include developing a quality improvement plan and professional practice model in line with the Pathway to Excellence standards. 

​ANCC Conference
We were lucky enough to attend the ANNCC conference in 2022 and 2023. We cannot begin to explain how energising and inspiring this conference is. We can say with confidence that the knowledge we aquired in 2022 inspired us to change direction and pursue Pathway to Excellence on our return to Ireland. We just returned from the 2023 conference in Chicago with so much drive and new ideas that we are now promoting and driving our Pathway journey throughout the organisation at every opportunity. We even managed to meet a nurse at the conference amongst the 13,000 delegates who had trained in Our Lady of Lourdes and now works in UWMC , a 7 times designated Washington State hospital. Since our return she has visited our hospital & shared her expertise and knowledge with us. We also had the privilidge of walking the stage with our twin hospital when 2 of their sites were redesignated for the 3rd and 5th time. This for us was a huge honour to be included in their celebrations.
We attended a Pathway luncheon hosted by the directors of Pathway which was also attended by the Barnes family who are the name behind the Daisy awards and inspirational Pathway leaders in Christine Pabico, who we meet in Oslo and Paulette Sepe and Melissa Bates. What amazing company to be keeping!

Conclusion
Our M4E journey has been a very positive and unique experience, involving collaboration, exchanging ideas and insights with our European and US clinical and academic partners, with a  focus on inclusive collaborative learning culture and improving the working lives of Nurses. Our focus on Pathway to Excellence designation will ensure that we will capture our gains and maintain momentum and focus on Improving the working lives our staff in line with the six Pathway standards, so closely aligned to the M4E objectives.