The Geriatric Resource Nurse Model: a culture change

Abstract

The introduction of the Geriatric Resource Nurse (GRN) Model and the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program has changed the culture at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. The number one key to successfully implementing them has been the overwhelming administrative and staff support. The following article contains an outline of the initial steps taken to implement the GRN model and a NICHE program, the way both became fully integrated into the culture of care, and evidence of positive patient and staff outcomes.