Project ideas

[graypa]

I will be starting in a brand new Progressive Care Unit and was asked to come up with a project to start on the unit that is unique. I will be interviewing for the ANM position which is where I will have to present the project. Two projects that have already been started are nurse lead rounds and staffing by acuity. These are two things that are not done anywhere else in the hospital. I'm having a hard time thinking of a project that is unique without having any data on the unit. Are there any suggestions?

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

Leadership rounds. When I opened my ward I implemented leadership rounding...this was the off going and on coming charge rounding on every single pt checking in and following up on any issues that may be bubbling before they escalate.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Something that will speak to their HCAHPS scores and what would be important to work on. For most places, that is “nursing communication”. K Mag’s idea is excellent. Another one that a lot of places are doing is teaching the nurses how to implement the “teach back” method of providing patient education and instruction in order to ensure that the patient has a clear understanding of what the nurse has explained.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: The project does not have to be unique, in my opinion. I think it needs to be impactful and thoughtful. I did not have to do a project to get my position, I had to speak to one I implemented in the past. However, it sounds like your hiring manager may want to know if you did your homework about their unit. So, the project is probably one that needs to be a problem on that unit.

For example, nurse leader rounds are performed everywhere, but some hospitals may have gotten out of practice. If this is a problem on the unit, what can you contribute to nurse leader rounds that will be impactful?

Good luck!