COMOX VALLEY NURSING CENTER - FROM COLLABORATION TO EMPOWERMENT

The Comox Valley Nursing Centre was initiated as a two year demonstrat ion project by the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia ( RNABC) and funded by the Ministry of Health. The purpose of the projec t was to demonstrate innovative nursing practice in a primary health c are context. Findings from the project were expected to inform provinc ial health care planning, nursing scope of practice, and health and nu rsing policy development. A free standing nursing center was planned a nd implemented through a collaborative effort by RNABC, nurses and com munity residents. An external team of researchers evaluated the projec t using a variety of methods, including participatory action research. During the project an innovative nursing practice, based on principle s of collaboration, developed and has continued during the extended pr ovincial and regional funding of the Centre. Drawing from the evaluati on findings, case studies and using Henneman, Lee and Cohen's (1995) c oncept analysis of collaboration, this paper describes how the princip les of collaboration were actualized or suppressed. The paper examines how collaboration impacted empowerment for nurses, clients and the co mmunity. Lessons learned about the reciprocal relationships between co llaboration and empowerment, implications for nursing practice, and ho w the approach can contribute to a better understanding of the impact of collaborative practice approaches on health care delivery are discu ssed.