Our Mission and Practice Model
In 2016, Marsha Maurer, DNP, RN, FAONL, Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, began a process of reflection within the entire nursing service that led to the development of a nursing mission statement. In a message to staff before announcing the mission, Maurer noted, “I could not be more pleased and excited to be at this juncture. The development of our mission is the product of many months of careful thought, planning, and hard work. We surveyed our frontline staff about what was most important to them. We gathered nursing leaders to consider those results and to further delve into what it means to be a nurse at BIDMC.
“Our mission statement was carefully crafted to capture the essence of that work. We can now say that the mission of nursing at BIDMC is:
“To build on a legacy of nursing excellence by caring with compassion, advancing the art & science of nursing, and advocating for the health of patients, families, and communities.”
The supporting documentation below provides more detail about the concepts of the nursing mission and how they apply to nurses at BIDMC.
LegacyNursing practice at BIDMC is built on a strong and enduring foundation – a legacy of nursing excellence. Our nurses share a personal and collective sense of pride related to that legacy, and they are committed to preserving its core, passing on its key tenets, and striving to ensure that it continues to grow and develop. BIDMC nurses feel they are part of something important and unique. They want to both live up to the reputation that preceded them and to do their part to sustain that reputation into the future. Experienced staff feel a commitment to pass on “the way we do nursing” at BIDMC; novice nurses embrace and celebrate the chance to learn from seasoned colleagues.
Caring with CompassionBIDMC nurses deliver empathic, compassionate care through the bonds they establish with patients and families. By creating personal connections, nurses communicate genuine caring. While they recognize and preserve appropriate professional boundaries, they have the courage and wisdom to know how to create the supportive, personal connections that are best for each patient, using parameters that are dictated by the situation at hand. This creates a care environment that is rich with meaning for the patient and the nurse. Nurses at BIDMC say that through the human‐human connections they establish, they provide the type of care that they would want for their family, their friends, or themselves. They consistently go “above and beyond” in order to meet patient needs.
Art & Science of NursingBIDMC nurses share a commitment to preserving and advancing both the art and science of nursing. They understand that self‐awareness, self‐care, and mindful, reflective practice are prerequisites for practicing the art of nursing, in which nurses use the “self” as a therapeutic tool to care for patients and families. They nurture a culture of teamwork and collaboration within which the art of nursing can thrive. Lifelong learning is a key component of BIDMC nursing, encompassing both ongoing clinical education and academic advancement. Nurses use their understanding of science and scientific methods to advance and promote the evidence base for nursing practice. They design and carry out nursing research, support broader research endeavors, and are key drivers of medical center quality and process improvement activities. They share their knowledge with others in the care environment by serving as educators and mentors, and with colleagues in the profession at large through participation in local, national, and international professional forums.
AdvocacyNurses at BIDMC leverage their clinical knowledge and the trusting bonds they establish with patients to advocate for the wellbeing of patients and families. In countless ways, nurses stand next to patients and families – educating, supporting, and guiding them through the complex world of health care. This includes helping patients and families understand what is happening in the moment and what to expect on the path ahead. Nurses teach patients and families how to be active participants in care. As providers who are often in closest contact with patients, nurses serve as liaisons, communicating and collaborating with colleagues from other disciplines to ensure the highest care quality. They are committed to equitable care for all, and they maintain an unwavering stance of respect for patients representing a broad diversity of cultures, values, and life circumstances. BIDMC nurses advocate on behalf of populations through leadership activities within organizations; through the advancement of nursing science; and by using their expertise to work on the local, national, and global health policy agenda.
Their underlying commitment is to improve the health and wellbeing of patients, families, and communities.
Nursing Professional Practice Model
Professional Nursing at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is driven by its nursing mission and is grounded in the values of compassion, excellence, accountability, respect, and collaboration. It does not exist in isolation, but is developed and nurtured in tandem with professional values and professional relationships. A Collaborative Practice Model supports a vibrant patient care delivery system, through which critical operational components are advanced, supported by Nursing Professional Governance.
