AACN CSI Academy - Healthy Work Environments

AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy is a unit-based program using implementation science to leverage direct care nurses’ expertise and build additional skills, preparing and supporting them as clinician leaders who effect positive changes that improve patient, nurse and hospital outcomes.

CSI Academy utilized its proven nurse innovation program to support teams of direct care nurses to lead innovative change projects to improve the health of the work environment in their units.

Leveraging its decade-plus history, AACN CSI Academy launched seven regional cohorts where 64 teams focused a nurse-led project to improve on one or two Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards.

The initial cohorts launched in Fall 2023 in Los Angeles, and were soon joined by regional cohorts at hospitals in Ohio, Oregon, Delaware, Texas and Washington through Spring 2024. By Fall 2024, the program included 64 teams of two to four nurses each.

• Nurses participating in AACN CSI Academy’s HWE initiative learn new skills, gain leadership experience and grow professionally.
• They develop a deeper understanding of AACN HWE standards and their impact on nurse and unit outcomes.
• Nurses learn to design, develop, plan and implement an innovative project.
• They develop effective communication, collaboration and innovation skills.
• They also use outcome measurement findings to evaluate goals.
• The initiative has positive effects on nurse satisfaction, nurse turnover, the work environment and patient outcomes.