Developing staff nurse experts in nursing diagnosis-based care planning.

: In this article, the authors describe the Program to Increase Nursing Knowledge and Facilitate the Utilization of Nursing Diagnosis (PINK FUND) undertaken at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. The program prepared unit-based nurses to be facilitators for nursing diagnosis-based care planning. Major curriculum threads included theory of nursing diagnosis, planned change, and adult learning. Instructors modeled innovative instructional methodologies for participants. Program planners vigorously marketed the program to nurses within the institution. The program succeeded in preparing nurses to use the nursing process to deliver planned care. The program description will serve as a potential model for staff development educators seeking to increase staff competence in nursing care planning and documentation.