The Six Step process to becoming a NICHE Site:

Step One: Plan for the Leadership Training Program; the steering committee:

• Select participants (a minimum of three) - including a Nurse Clinical Leader, Clinical Educator, Quality Manager or Administrator. Recommended additions to steer initiative: direct care staff, and other disciplines (medical, rehab, social work, pharmacy, etc).
• Prepares budget for administrative approval.

Step Two: Utilize the Introduction to NICHE powerpoint provided to customize a presentation for your facility. This can be used to engage the support of additional stakeholders and expand your steering committee.

Two versions to download: US or Canada

Step Three: Register for the NICHE Leadership Training Program

Step Four: Prepare for the Leadership Training Program; the steering committee:

• Reviews the following and considers alignment with a NICHE initiative
• The organization’s mission statement
• The strategic plan
• Other hospital or health system programs (considering the possibility for shared resources and synergetic goals)
• Considers the organizational strengths and barriers to geriatric initiatives, and to change in general
• Identifies clinical and operational priorities through a review of performance improvement and risk management data (including clinical, financial, and organizational measures, satisfaction surveys, and process measures)

Step Five: Participate in the Leadership Training Program.

Step Six: Develop and submit your NICHE Action Plan during stage 3 of the Leadership Training Program. The following criteria are utilized to determine NICHE designation:

• Feasibility of implementation of the plan
• Demonstrated administrative commitment
• Description of rationale for measures
• Consideration of contextual factors (characteristics of patient population, regulations, reimbursement, and human resource issues)

Contact NICHE to start the process.