The University Hospital Nurse Extender Program. Part IV, What have we learned?

This article is the fourth of a four-part series on the University Hospital Nurse Extender Model using patient care technicians (PCTs). Part I provided the overview and conceptual framework for the model. Part II described the implementation process. Part III described the 1-year evaluation of the impact of the model. Part IV presents six lessons learned from this attempt to alter the way nursing care is delivered to patients. The lessons include the steps that must precede implementation, the role of leadership, the importance of clearly conveyed goals, the need for realistic incentives, and the necessity of a clearly defined communication system among those involved in the implementation.