Conceptual models and the nursing organization: Implementing the AACN Synergy Model for patient care™

Leaders set a firm direction about where an organization needs to go. Technical leaders talk about it, but professional leaders operate from a conceptual framework and clearly articulated values that form a constitution from which emanate policies, procedures, projects, and a host of secondary gains. Conceptual models provide the high-level operating framework from which to do the work, as well as the direction for what will and will not be done, the hiring and retention of people who can operate within this framework, and performance evaluations and continuing education for the organization.