TEAM BUILDING PROCESS IN LAUNCHING A PRACTICE MODEL

With the growing use of multiple types of nurse extenders in new patie nt care-delivery models, there is a need not only for outcome research on their design and use but for identification and discussion of effe ctive team-building processes necessary to implementing these models. This article presents an analysis of the interdisciplinary team proces s and the levels of team building and processes needed at each level t o test a new nursing practice model. The team processes included not o nly those within the medical center but included the collaborative pro cess established between the college of nursing and medical center. Bo th of these were crucial to a successful change in nursing practice.