Practice Initiatives
Clinical Practice Program (CPP)
The Clinical Practice Program (CPP) was developed by the Office of Nursing Services (ONS) to support nursing practice at the point of care. The program currently consists of ten Field Advisory Committees (FACs) in the following specialties: Cardiovascular, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Mental Health, Metabolic Syndrome/Diabetes, Oncology, Perioperative, Polytrauma & Rehabilitation, Emergency Department, Pain Management, and ICU. The FACs develop policies in coordination with other VHA program offices and to disseminate communication to the field.
The Clinical Nurse Advisors serve as Subject Matter Experts to the Chief Nursing Officer and represent ONS on a variety of national committees and work groups. In addition, they are responsible for leading their ONS FAC in the development, promotion, and diffusion of best practices promoting enhanced Veteran access.
Each FAC is comprised of field-based nurses, representing all nursing roles and levels of education. The Clinical Nurse Advisors guide their FACs in
- Aligning work of assigned patient populations with National Nursing Strategic Goals/Objectives.
- Identifying/developing and/or recommending:
- best practice, clinical practice guidelines, standards of care, and policy guidance
- staff/patient/caregiver training and educational priorities
- products and/or tools for use by nursing staff at the point of care
- research agenda for clinical inquiries
- publications and appropriate mechanisms for dissemination of best practices
- potential oversight functions needed in the field in the area of focus
