The practice of Primary Nursing. Theoretical framework and experience from the U.S.

Primary Nursing is a delivery system designed for use by a nursing staff in an acute care hospital. The actual practice of Primary Nursing reflects the legacy value of one patient, one nurse. It rests on three foundations: 1) the nurse patient relationship 2) professional accountability and 3/the healing quality of compassion. A key to success of the system is the establishment of a responsibility relationship by the nurse with the patient/family. This unique relationship is the essence professional practice as it facilitates the healing quality of compassion recognized by Hildegard of Bingen, Sister Madeline Clemence Vaillot and others. It also provides a framework for maximum professional accountability. A common source of confusion is staffing issues re. Primary Nursing. Neither more staff nor a different skill are needed because of Primary Nursing. If staff is adequate before Primary Nursing, it will be adequate for Primary Nursing.