In partnership with a major medical center, senior-level nursing students completed a root cause
analysis and implementation plan to address a unit-specific quality issue. To evaluate the project,
unit leaders were asked their perceptions of the value of the projects and impact on patient care,
as well as to provide exemplars depicting how the student root cause analysis work resulted in
improved patient outcome and/or unit processes. Liaisons noted benefits of having an RCA team,
with positive impact on patient outcomes and care processes. Key words: nursing students,
patient outcomes, quality improvement, root cause analysis