Background and aim: This study reports the outcomes from an international study that implemented a set of person-centred nursing key performance indicators across a range of services provided to sick children. It aims to explore the factors that influenced the successful implementation of those indicators, and assess the impact of the evidence generated on person-centred practice across the children’s services.

Methods: Twelve organisations across Australia and Europe participated, with data collected in 2015 and 2016 and analysed using thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with staff, including executive sponsors, managers, facilitators and clinical nursing teams. The COREQ guidelines were considered in the conduct and reporting of this study.

Results: The results describe the impact of implementing the key performance indicators from the perspective of nurses operating at different levels within organisations. The following six themes became apparent: credibility of the key performance indicators; uncovering the whole picture; embracing nursing; engaging in the process; connecting with others; and achieving healthful outcomes.

Conclusion: The findings from this study confirm an emerging relationship between the nature of evidence generated by the person-centred nursing key performance indicators and its use in practice. Also highlighted was the importance of facilitation in the process of data collection and in understanding the data and the context in which it is used.

Implications for practice:

• This study will be of interest to clinical nurses, educators, managers and facilitators of cultural change.
• The data generated through the implementation of the person-centred nursing key performance indicators evidences the global contribution of nursing across services provided to children and their families
• Engaging staff at all levels in an organisation enhances implementation of evidence that is meaningful for nursing practice
• The triangulated evidence generated by the key performance indicators and accompanying measurement tools offers feedback that can drive improvements in nursing practice

This article by Val Wilson, Donna Brown and Tanya McCance is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 License.