Nurse effectiveness open library

Welcome

The RNAO Nurse Effectiveness Library features a comprehensive collection of publications highlighting nurses’ impact on the Quintuple Aim. Explore evidence of nurses driving health system transformation and leading evidence-based change across sectors in Canada and globally.

Nurse effectiveness

Designed to inform research, policy and clinical practice, this library is the result of a comprehensive scoping review (2000–2025). Conducted in 2024–2025, the review assessed nurses’ global impact across settings and sectors, focusing on contributions to health equity, patient experience, provider satisfaction, value of care, and population health, collectively known as the Quintuple Aim. 

Findings informed the creation of the Nurse Effectiveness Open Library, a resource that currently shares data on Nurse Practitioners and will soon expand to include other nursing roles.  Coming Soon: Registered nurses, registered practical nurses/licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists. This library provides accessible evidence to inform decision‑making and strengthen health system performance. RNAO will continue to review and update this project on a two-year cycle to reflect the latest evidence and ensure its continued relevance and impact.

Contribute to the Nurse Effectiveness Library   Contact us

Background & history

This project builds on RNAO’s earlier work showcasing 70 years of nurse effectiveness across clinical outcomes, organizational performance and financial results.

Learn more

References for registered nurse effectiveness are coming soon.

2011
Pressure ulcer prevention in Australia: the role of the nurse practitioner in changing practice and saving lives.
Publication: International wound journal
Author/s: Margo Asimus, Lorna Maclellan, Pui Iris Li
DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2011.00824.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2011
Resource commitment to improve outcomes and increase value at a level I trauma center.
Publication: The Journal of trauma
Author/s: C Beth Sise, Michael J Sise, Dorothy M Kelley, Sarah B Walker, Richard Y Calvo, Steven R Shackford, Barbara R Lome, Daniel I Sack, Turner M Osler
DOI: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31820c7b79
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2011
The addition of a nurse practitioner to an inpatient surgical team results in improved use of resources.
Publication: Surgery
Author/s: Lourdes Robles, Michele Slogoff, Eva Ladwig-Scott, Dan Zank, Mary Kay Larson, Gerard Aranha, Margo Shoup
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2011.08.022
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2011
https://uhn.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.a…

" target="_blank">The lived experiences of African American women receiving care from nurse practitioners in an urban nurse-managed clinic.
Publication: Online Journal of Cultural Competence in Nursing & Healthcare
Author/s: H. Wehbe-Alamah, M. McFarland, J. Macklin, N. Riggs
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
URL: https://uhn.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cul&AN=104892110&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2011
To the hospital and back home again: a nurse practitioner-based transitional care program for hospitalized homebound people.
Publication: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Author/s: Katherine Ornstein, Kristofer L Smith, Dinah Herlands Foer, Maria Tereza Lopez-Cantor, Theresa Soriano
DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03308.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
A comparison of fracture reductions performed by physician extenders and orthopaedic residents in the acute pediatric orthopaedic practice.
Publication: Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e3181bd5863
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
URL: https://uhn.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cul&AN=105154227&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2010
A randomized controlled trial in children with eczema: nurse practitioner vs. dermatologist.
Publication: The British journal of dermatology
Author/s: M L A Schuttelaar, K M Vermeulen, N Drukker, P J Coenraads
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09502.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Breast disease diagnostic ability of nurse practitioners and surgeons
Publication: Journal of Advanced Nursing
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05291.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Clients' understanding of the role of nurse practitioners.
Publication: Australian Health Review
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1071/AH09688
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
URL: https://uhn.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cul&AN=105163822&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2010
Complication rates and outcomes of 536 implanted subcutaneous chest ports: do rates differ based on the primary operator's level of training?.
Publication: Academic radiology
Author/s: Anne M Silas, Kiley D Perrich, Eric K Hoffer, Nancy J McNulty
DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2009.10.019
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Diabetes outcomes in primary care: evaluation of the diabetes nurse practitioner compared to the physician.
Publication: Primary Health Care
Author/s:
DOI: 10.7748/phc2010.06.20.5.26.c7809
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
URL: https://uhn.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cul&AN=105032520&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2010
Diagnostic accuracy of emergency nurse practitioners versus physicians related to minor illnesses and injuries.
Publication: Journal of emergency nursing
Author/s: Christien van der Linden, Resi Reijnen, Rien e Vos
DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2009.08.012
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Economic evaluation of nurse practitioners versus GPs in treating common conditions.
Publication: The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
Author/s: Angelique T M Dierick-van Daele, Lotte M G Steuten, Job F M Metsemakers, Emmy W C C Derckx, Cor Spreeuwenberg, Hubertus J M Vrijhoef
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp10X482077
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Effect of an audit and feedback intervention on hospitalized oncology patients' perception of nurse practitioner care.
Publication: Journal of nursing care quality
Author/s: Dorothy Dulko, Kathi Mooney
DOI: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e3181b7050d
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Implementation of cancer pain guidelines by acute care nurse practitioners using an audit and feedback strategy
Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2009.00469.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Integrating Physician Services in the Home: evaluation of an innovative program.
Publication: Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien
Author/s: Moira Stewart, John F Sangster, Bridget L Ryan, Jeffrey S Hoch, Irene Cohen, Carol L McWilliam, Joan Mitchell, Evelyn Vingilis, Christine Tyrrell, Ian R McWhinney
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Nurse practitioner comanagement for patients in an academic geriatric practice
Publication: The American journal of managed care
Author/s:
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Nurse practitioner-led surgical spine consultation clinic.
Publication: Journal of advanced nursing
Author/s: Angela Sarro, Yoga Raja Rampersaud, Stephen Lewis
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05446.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Outcomes of an osteoporosis disease-management program managed by nurse practitioners.
Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00515.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
URL: https://uhn.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cul&AN=105026958&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2010
The impact of a 'resident replacement' nurse practitioner on an Academic Pediatric Neurosurgical service
Publication: Pediatric neurosurgery
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1159/000321922
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
URL: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=mnh&AN=20962549&site=eds-live&custid=s8481523
2010
The impact of a complex care clinic in a children's hospital.
Publication: Child: care, health and development
Author/s: E Cohen, J N Friedman, S Mahant, S Adams, V Jovcevska, P Rosenbaum
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01069.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2010
Veterans' perceptions of care by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians: a comparison from satisfaction surveys.
Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Author/s: Dorothy Budzi, Sue Lurie, Karan Singh, Roderick Hooker
DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00489.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2009
A randomised controlled trial of structured nurse-led outpatient clinic follow-up for dyspeptic patients after direct access gastroscopy.
Publication: BMC gastroenterology
Author/s: David Chan, Scott Harris, Paul Roderick, David Brown, Praful Patel
DOI: 10.1186/1471-230X-9-12
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2009
A survey of patient satisfaction in a metropolitan Emergency Department: comparing nurse practitioners and emergency physicians.
Publication: International journal of nursing practice
Author/s: Natasha Jennings, Geraldine Lee, Kylie Chao, Simon Keating
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01746.x
Collection: Nurse Practitioner
2009
Can a nurse practitioner serve in the prescriber role on an assertive community treatment team?
Publication: American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Author/s:
DOI: 10.1080/15487760903066339
Collection: Nurse Practitioner