Background: The literature suggests that nurse and patient collaborative goal setting demonstrates better patient outcomes. The SMART goal evaluation method (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely) is a strategy to develop effective and measureable goals. Purpose: The purpose of this educational project was to improve nurse collaborative goal-setting skills. Methods: A pre-and postevaluation of an educational intervention was accomplished by patient interviews and observation for adherence to obtaining patient daily goals. Results: Results of nurse adherence in writing SMART collaborative goal setting increased from 11% preeducation to 63% posteducation. Patients' perceptions of feeling well informed by their nurses and physicians increased from 57% preeducation to 91% posteducation. Conclusion: Nurses continued to need reminding to collaborate with their patients, but their goal writing skills greatly improved. Clinical Relevance: The results of this educational project demonstrated nurses' improved ability to cowrite collaborative patient goals which resulted in better informed patients.

Skin rounds and staff education not only increased nursing accountability and improved documentation of wounds but also helped promote the healing of patient's current skin issues.

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common, painful, and potentially life threatening to hospital patients. Nurses implemented an evidence-based project to determine if a new protocol would decrease the incidence of CAUTIs. The project included a point prevalence study, healthcare team education and a prompt communicating catheter insertion date, time and removal recommendations. This project was successful as evidenced by post data collection showing CAUTI rate decreases of 1.1/1000 catheter days and a device duration decrease of 0.2 device days/patient days.