nd innovative use of resources; allowing staff to challenge the status quo and multidisciplinary team cooperation must be encouraged; key values must be adapted as guiding principles; and finally, research findings must be incorporated into practice changes.
The study also found that there needs to be development of a better relationship between nurses and physicians (Newhouse and Mills, 2002). Nurse leaders must work developing collaborative partnerships with physicians and breaking down barriers, focusing on the welfare of the patient as the primary goal. When professional practice environments can be established, nurses can evolve to their full potential and become a high performing team. Trust must be developed through professional practice and group cohesion established through system equity, interpersonal interaction, and employee support. Newhouse and Mills (2002) found that "leadership in professional practice is positively related to establishing a system culture, strategic planning, and resource allocation from the perspective of the nurse administrator." A system culture supporting interpersonal relationships and providing employee support, along with equitable resource allocation, will enhance professional practice. A system integration nursing model is needed to promote continuity of care across the organization through system and network formation.
Over the past forty years, nursing scholars have developed several theories of nursing based on caring as being at the very essence of nursing (Saewyc, 2000). Saewyc cites Leininger's culture care theory that "care is the essence of nursing" which promotes culturally congruent care, i.e. making a holistic appraisal of patients within their environment and culture, developing and understanding and meaningful care patterns within their environment and culture, and enhancing healing by using culturally congruent care. This is particularly important today with su...