“[We have] had the pleasure of working with Maria O’Rourke over the past year and a
half. Her presentations energized our leadership group, and increased the professional role
competence, confidence, decision-making and critical thinking skills, and patient advocacy
of our staff. We’re all inspired by the “power and beauty of the role of the professional
registered nurse”. We’ve incorporated this work into the infrastructure of our organization,
and it’s serving as a foundation for our Journey to Magnet.”
“Maria’s work with our organization revitalized our staff. She created a culture change
within our organization, helping us move from task based to role based nursing practice.
This shift in perspective has helped many of our staff recapture their passion for nursing.
The Professional Role Development Model is now the foundation on which our staff com-
petency and development is based. Maria has given us the knowledge, tools and support
to assure ongoing, sustainable results.”
Director of Education Resources, Northern California Hospital
“Maria O’Rourke’s Role Development and Role Socialization Program has helped to
transform the culture here at HHS. We are beginning to shift from a more passive environ-
ment to a collaborative atmosphere where all disciplines engage in dialogue to meet the
needs of our patients. This shift was made possible as the Role Socialization Program
enhances communication by allowing for a more consistent and systematic approach to
the professional role obligations of a registered nurse. This communication has helped
us raise the bar so that the quality of care rendered is constantly improving.”
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, East Coast Hospital
“Maria O’Rourke is a cornerstone to the profession of nursing in California. She has been
influential to the practice of nursing at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. We embrace the
professional practice model in our care of children and families. On any given day a nurse
at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will exhibit all components of the professional practice
model. Often, you will hear Maria quoted at CHLA as we define and prioritize the work
of nurses.”
Vice President Patient Care Services/ Chief Nursing Officer, Southern California Hospital
“Maria O’Rourke’s Professional Role Development and Role Socialization Program has
served us well as core material in the on-boarding, orientation and continuing education of
our registered nurses. Maria has shone a spotlight on the value of the professional role in
practice and education and reaffirmed the legal scope of practice for our nurses; as a result,
our nurses are practicing more autonomously and are more role-based. This is certainly
going to be the foundation of our Nursing Practice Model as we move toward becoming a
Magnet organization”.
Vice President for Education/ Associate Chief Nursing Officer, East Coast Hospital
From time to time there is a thought, a concept that grabs you in a way that potentially
changes how you think and behave. Such was the case, Maria, with your class. While
nursing is a proud and valuable profession there was a culture here that belied our actual
worth and accountability and had been driven by nursing itself. I believe that had come
from a place of fear. After my 3 days of your initial class, my enthusiasm and belief that
nursing was indeed one of the most important professions in the hospital returned and I
remember saying, “This class will change my professional life”. That is a bold statement
but buoyed up with a clear understanding of the legal obligations and earned professional
authority of nursing, I came to understand that I possessed a power I had relinquished. No
longer. As a nurse manager, I have gained the language and formulated the structure under
which, I believe, all nurses not only get to practice, but must practice. There is no longer
any room for a shrug or a dismissive action that diminishes the care of the patient. Each
nurse possesses, indeed, is obligated to work in the best interest of the patient and move
them forward in their process of healing and wellness. Can we save every life? Of course
not! Can we make a difference? Absolutely. And the difference we will make will be in
alignment with the commitment and responsibility we accept in our role as the bedside
nurse or, in my case, the nurse with the obligation of leading the practice on 4 Surgical.
I am grateful to our executive team of nurses that saw our need and moved us forward
toward closing the gaps of complacency, powerlessness and acceptance of something
less than our legal right and obligation as practicing RNs.
I must also comment that the ongoingness of this process is mine to own. I must keep
the goal of excellence in front of myself at all times and never forget that I have every
tool I need to accomplish outstanding patient care — it is my right and obligation as a
professional RN. Thank you so much for your impact on my professional life.
Northern California Hospital
