Best organizational practices that foster scholarly nursing practice in Magnet® hospitals

For nurses to become leaders in the transformation of the future health care delivery system, they need organizational support to develop a scholarly nursing practice across a full career trajectory. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe best organizational practices that support the development and growth of a scholarly nursing practice throughout a nurse's full career progression. Thirty-two senior nurse leaders from American Nurses Credentialing Corporation Magnet® hospitals were interviewed. Questions focused on strategies used in the workplace to support nurses' growth and development of a scholarly nursing practice. Content analysis was used to analyze data. The following themes emerged: The Organization Creates and Sustains a Core Culture Supportive of Scholarly Nursing Practice; Expectations for Professional Development; Resources that Support Scholarly Nursing Practice; and Power of the Senior Nurse Leader. Nursing culture in the institutions led by our participants had a significant and influential impact on the overall organizational culture. A nursing culture that embraces a scholarly nursing practice environment is one that is tightly integrated with an overall institutional culture that supports nursing. Senior nurse leaders were the driving force behind the development of a culture that supports scholarly nursing practice. •Nurses who use scholarly nursing practice are knowledge workers with multi-dimensional thinking.•A well-developed nursing culture is a significant influencer of institutional culture.•Accountability for professional growth starts at hiring and continues throughout one's career.•Academic-Practice partnerships are central to a richness in human resources.•Building relationships and trust with staff is essential to the role of senior nurse leader.