BackgroundProfessional models of care define the framework for nursing practice whereas professional practice models define how nursing practice, policies, and procedures are developed and implemented. Defining such care models is key to achieving excellent nursing practice outcomes. The purpose of this project was to define the professional model of care and practice model for a large children's hospital.MethodA task force invited nursing colleagues from across the organization to describe their nursing practice. The responses were analyzed using content analysis to identify the key aspects of our model of care and practice model. Graphic and narrative depictions were developed then tested with staff and refined based upon their input.ResultsThe participating nurses (n = 106) identified patient and family centered care as our model of care and evidence-based practice as the practice model. They identified key aspects of patient and family centered care including, compassionate, respectful, comprehensive, individualized, and collaborative. The nurses described key aspects of the evidence-based practice model as an interdisciplinary shared decision making model focused on quality and professional development.DiscussionThis iterative process of description followed by cycles of testing and refinement was an effective way to explicitly define the care models. While designed for data collection, the process was also educational and introduced the language of professional models of care and professional practice models and the concepts identified by the staff. Next steps include intensive education and exploring mechanisms to use the models as a framework for measuring effectiveness of care and evaluating proposed practice changes. BackgroundProfessional models of care define the framework for nursing practice whereas professional practice models define how nursing practice, policies, and procedures are developed and implemented. Defining such care models is key to achieving excellent nursing practice outcomes. The purpose of this project was to define the professional model of care and practice model for a large children's hospital. Professional models of care define the framework for nursing practice whereas professional practice models define how nursing practice, policies, and procedures are developed and implemented. Defining such care models is key to achieving excellent nursing practice outcomes. The purpose of this project was to define the professional model of care and practice model for a large children's hospital. MethodA task force invited nursing colleagues from across the organization to describe their nursing practice. The responses were analyzed using content analysis to identify the key aspects of our model of care and practice model. Graphic and narrative depictions were developed then tested with staff and refined based upon their input. A task force invited nursing colleagues from across the organization to describe their nursing practice. The responses were analyzed using content analysis to identify the key aspects of our model of care and practice model. Graphic and narrative depictions were developed then tested with staff and refined based upon their input. ResultsThe participating nurses (n = 106) identified patient and family centered care as our model of care and evidence-based practice as the practice model. They identified key aspects of patient and family centered care including, compassionate, respectful, comprehensive, individualized, and collaborative. The nurses described key aspects of the evidence-based practice model as an interdisciplinary shared decision making model focused on quality and professional development. The participating nurses (n = 106) identified patient and family centered care as our model of care and evidence-based practice as the practice model. They identified key aspects of patient and family centered care including, compassionate, respectful, comprehensive, individualized, and collaborative. The nurses described key aspects of the evidence-based practice model as an interdisciplinary shared decision making model focused on quality and professional development. DiscussionThis iterative process of description followed by cycles of testing and refinement was an effective way to explicitly define the care models. While designed for data collection, the process was also educational and introduced the language of professional models of care and professional practice models and the concepts identified by the staff. Next steps include intensive education and exploring mechanisms to use the models as a framework for measuring effectiveness of care and evaluating proposed practice changes. This iterative process of description followed by cycles of testing and refinement was an effective way to explicitly define the care models. While designed for data collection, the process was also educational and introduced the language of professional models of care and professional practice models and the concepts identified by the staff. Next steps include intensive education and exploring mechanisms to use the models as a framework for measuring effectiveness of care and evaluating proposed practice changes.