Rheumatoid Arthritis Educational Series A Nurse-Led Project

Nurses in the rheumatology clinic at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases realized a need to provide patients with rheumatoid arthritis with more healthcare information than was routinely given during clinic visits. This project goal was to support patient involvement in decision making and encourage participation in treatment planning. To address these concerns, a team of staff registered nurses developed an educational program based on various arthritis-related topics. This article shares the experiences of these nurses as they developed and led a patient education project. Various elements of the project are discussed, including institutional history, program needs, project start-up, challenges, outcomes, and the lessons learned.