Nurse effectiveness
Background
The Nurse Effectiveness Project maps global evidence on nursing’s impact across health sectors and care models from 2000 to 2025. Grounded in the Quintuple Aim, the project examines how nurses – including registered practical nurses/licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists – advance health equity, patient experience, provider satisfaction, value of care, and population health. Through a comprehensive scoping review, findings are synthesized into the Nurse Effectiveness Open Library, a resource designed to inform research, policy and clinical practice. By visualizing outcomes and identifying gaps, this initiative supports evidence-based decision-making and drives health system transformation.
History of project
This project builds on RNAO’s earlier work showcasing 70 years of nurse effectiveness across clinical outcomes, organizational performance and financial results. In the original project, RNAO’s International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines research team and policy department collaborated to create a comprehensive electronic database of registered nurse effectiveness. The database showcases 70 years of studies on registered nurse impact across clinical outcomes, organizational performance and financial results. It is still available as a resource for policy-makers, researchers, and health-care leaders to support evidence-informed decision-making.
