UH Nurses: Advancing and Evolving Patient Care Each day University Hospitals nurses exemplify compassion, communication and professionalism in the care they provide to every patient they serve while representing a powerhouse of caregivers throughout the health system.
Today, more than 7,000 people system-wide are nursing professionals, comprising one-fourth of the UH caregiver population. And their prominence is evident as roles and responsibilities continue to evolve , especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The creation of the UH Nurse Executive Council in 2019 better aligned nursing resources in a dynamic health care environment. This structure has already advanced collaboration and communication among nurses, and integrated nursing practice across our expanded health system. UH nurses’ vision statement further supports the nursing profession and patient outcomes: “UH nurses empower, advocate and innovate to achieve excellence in human caring.” With input from nursing staff at all locations, the council also developed a strategic plan as a roadmap for further collaboration and advancement of nursing operations. According to the World Health Organization, which designated 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and 20
Midwife”, nurses today have many roles: They provide personal care and treatment, work with families and communities and play a central part in public health. UH nurses continue to transform their profession by incorporating new technologies in medical/surgical care while delivering compassionate comfort. In addition to quality patient care nurses give on hospital floors, in the operating room and in the physician’s office, nurses have roles in groundbreaking nursing and medical research and in teaching the next generation of caregivers. Nurses also hold leadership positions within UH. To help offset the reality of a nursing shortage, UH has built relationships with several colleges and universities to increase the number of baccalaureate-degreed nurses who enter the workforce – many of whom train and commit to working at UH after graduation. Many UH nurses pursue advanced nursing degrees to attain managerlevel positions and provide more technically-demanding care. Nurses at UH are leveraging change while advocating for their patients’ best interests. With universal support across our health system, the UH nursing team is elevating patient-focused care to new heights.
