125 5.2.4 Becoming a Change Agent

Organizations that resist change will not move forward. Change agents identify and initiate change, as well as build a culture of change. Nurse practitioners as leaders, are agents of change, consistently seeking effective new ways to practise and improve care:

• Evaluate programs
• Apply theories and principles of project and change management
• Influence and contribute to the organization’s and the health-care system’s vision
• Identify problems and initiate change
• Advise and advocate
• Create opportunity to foster meaningful improvements
• Drive meaningful clinical improvement

Pearls for successful change agent:

• Know your starting point
• Understand and incorporate organizational goals
• Communication
• Use available tools

Focus on people and process

The Knowledge-to-Practice Process Framework:

• Supports and guides a staged multi-method process
• Bolsters both individual and team practice change
• Focuses on 3 components:  geriatrics, interprofessional practice & interorganizational collaboration