Since announcing the evolution of our nurse education model last month, I’ve heard from a number of nurses who have questions and concerns about this transition. I want to assure you that nursing education and professional development remain vital to our vision of excellent care to patients and families with the best staff in the safest environment.

We’ve designed this new model to strengthen the nurse education function to meet the needs of our nurses and those who need our care. The new model is service line-based, rather than unit-based, enabling us to provide a more consistent and comprehensive program to meet the needs of nurses on all shifts.

I believe that this expanded nurse education program and role will provide every nurse with more opportunities to maximize their individual skills and knowledge. The new model is in line with our goal of continued exemplary professional practice, a component of the Magnet model. I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

I am deeply grateful for everything our nurse educators have done for our patients, their families and each other.

Related to nurse education at the Brigham, I want to make you aware of an exciting new partnership between the Brigham and Regis College. Beginning this fall, we will launch a new on-site master’s program in clinical nurse leadership for nurses who want to remain at the bedside. More information is available here.

In closing, as we have been experiencing extremely high patient census recently, I want to thank those of you who have been working hard to efficiently discharge patients who are ready to leave and make room for those who need our care. Your dedication to our patients and their families, and to working as a team with your interprofessional colleagues, is exemplary. We are actively working on processes to improve the efficient movement of patients throughout the hospital.

With my sincere gratitude and respect,

Madelyn Pearson, MSN, MA, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services