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An Organisational Approach to Establishing a Person-Centred Nursing Workforce [PCC284]

Wednesday May 6, 2026 12:15 - 17:00 Poster Arena

Presenter: Karen Tuqiri

Track: Poster session, Healthcare Organization

Person-centred nursing practice is linked to improved outcomes for patients, staff, and healthcare organisations. While individual initiatives often support nurses to reflect on and improve their practice, there is limited evidence of how such efforts can influence person-centred care at an organisational level. This presentation shares the experience of a nursing leadership team in a major teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, who took a systems-level approach to embedding person-centred practice across the workforce. Over several years, a series of integrated strategies were implemented and evaluated to support cultural change and strengthen person-centred values throughout the organisation. Key initiatives included: A redesigned orientation program highlighting hospital values, the nursing vision, and a person-centred model of care A graduate nurse program supporting early career nurses during transition, underpinned by person-centred principles An emerging leaders program focused on developing leadership capability with a strong foundation in person-centredness Organisational quality and safety initiatives such as annual safety surveys, ward-based quality boards, safety huddles, targeted action plans and showcases While each initiative offered value individually, their cumulative and strategic alignment created the conditions for meaningful and sustainable change impacting on practice, staff wellbeing and workplace culture. Outcomes to date include improved graduate nurse retention, reduced vacancies, enhanced staff satisfaction and teamwork, measurable improvements in quality and safety outcomes, enhanced patient experience measures, demonstrated improvements in cultural measures and a more engaged and committed nursing workforce. This work offers valuable insights for healthcare leaders seeking to embed person-centredness at scale, demonstrating that sustained cultural transformation is possible when strategy, leadership, and values are aligned. The power of an intentional, whole-of-organisation approach to cultivating a person-centred nursing culture—where values are lived, not just stated, and where staff at all levels feel valued and are empowered to contribute to better care outcomes will be demonstrated.
Language

English

Conference

GCPCC

GCPCC Code

PCC284

Lecturers

Karen Tuqiri Presenter

Karen Tuqiri, Val Wilson, Benjamin Newlyn, Melissa Silva, Mary Mulcahy, Ruth Smoother, Natalie Watson, Ye Yang, Inge Vuuregge, Andrew Maxwell, Justin O'Hare, Barbara Daly