American Nurses Enterprise Unveils New Model Defining the Economic Value of Nursing
Nursing Human Capital Value Model demonstrates how investing in nurses drives better outcomes and stronger financial performance
ATLANTA – October 7, 2025 –– Today, the American Nurses Enterprise (ANE) is hosting its annual Research Symposium pre-conference activities, featuring groundbreaking research on amplifying the value of nursing. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Amplifying the Value of Nursing through Transformative Research.”
A centerpiece of this year’s event is the presentation of findings from the Economic Value of Nursing Research Project—a two-year study led by the American Nurses Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research and Quality Management.
Led by researchers Olga Yakusheva, PhD, FAAN(h), and Marianne Weiss, DNSc, RN, the study introduces a pioneering framework: the Nursing Human Capital Value Model, a data-driven approach to quantifying the economic impact of nursing within healthcare systems.
The model offers a practical roadmap for nurse leaders and health system executives to measure and communicate the value nurses create—both in patient outcomes and financial performance. It identifies how nurse investment directly contributes to revenue growth, cost savings, and care quality, while highlighting the economic risks of underinvestment in the nursing workforce.
The study was conducted in three key phases:
- Concept Development – Building a new conceptual model for the economic value of nursing, establishing a progressive definition that captures both measurable and non-measurable impacts.
- Evidence Review and Validation – Conducting a systematic review of existing research to refine and validate the model, leading to robust recommendations for measurement and application.
- Proof-of-Concept Testing – Applying the model in pilot settings to demonstrate its ability to quantify nursing’s impact and inform decision-making around staffing, education, and professional development.
“The goal of this study was to reframe how nurses are traditionally viewed—not just as caregivers, but as strategic assets whose expertise drives both clinical excellence and financial stability,” said Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FAAN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer of the American Nurses Enterprise. “This model provides a powerful tool for healthcare leaders to understand and act on the true return on investment in nursing.”
According to researchers, the Nursing Human Capital Value Model underscores that investing in nurses fuels a cycle of high-quality care, improved outcomes, and increased revenue for healthcare systems. Conversely, underinvestment can lead to diminished productivity, higher costs, and long-term financial risk.
To learn more about the two-year study on the value of nursing and to review the full Nursing Human Capital Value Model, please visit the Economic Value of Nursing website.
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About the American Nurses Enterprise
The American Nurses Enterprise champions nurses by harnessing The Power of Nurses™ to drive transformation and innovation across the healthcare landscape. As the unifying force behind three foundational pillars—the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation—the enterprise sets the professional standards that empower nurse-led innovation, advocacy, and research. By uniting these core organizations, the enterprise advances the nursing profession and shapes a healthier future for communities nationwide and around the globe.
About the Magnet & Pathway Conference™
The Magnet & Pathway Conference™ is the largest gathering of nurses in the world, convening thousands of frontline nurses, nurse leaders, executives, and innovators every year. Hosted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, this premier annual event celebrates excellence in nursing, advances evidence-based practice, and showcases the power of nurses to transform health care. Through dynamic keynote sessions, cutting-edge education, networking opportunities, and recognition of Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® organizations, the conference empowers nurses across every setting to lead change and elevate the profession.
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