Mobilizing patients is a central nursing action that has been lost in the high acuity
environment. Skill in basic nursing actions are learned in school and transformed into
adequate performance in the clinical setting
The performance of practical skills in
nursing is characterized by complexity on many levels. While mobilization is part of the
beginning nursing skills that are taught, its importance is often overlooked. More
complex procedures and technological interventions often seem to become the focus of
care, yet basic interventions such as early mobilization have been found to significantly
improve patient outcomes.