Valuation, Mission and Money: A Case Study, 1916-1994

Signature Grand, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective. This historical case study examined how the Daughters of Charity in Jacksonville, Florida, succeeded in demonstrating their value to the people in Jacksonville Florida and were able to obtain the funding needed to care for the community. Background. The research explores how the Daughters succeeded as health care leaders, nurses, administrators, owners, and providers for over ninety years of healthcare changes at St. Vincent’s Health System. These Sisters trained in finance and nursing, were able to obtain payment for services and gain control over practice. Valuation is an approach that encourages a company to document the financial value of both the tangible and intangible assets associated with the services provided. Valuation studies related to nursing are challenged by the need to include the complexity of patient services that cause variation in research results. Method. The archives at St. Vincent’s Health System in Jacksonville, Florida provided the primary and secondary sources for this historical case study and provided the financial, administrative, and management records from 1910 to the early 1990s. Results. The research showed that the community trusted and valued these women and their mission. In addition, the Sisters succeeded because of their knowledge as nurses and as health care business women. Conclusion. The research findings affirmed the importance of preserving nursing’s reputation as a trusted provider. In addition, to prepare today’s nurses for the health care environment, the study demonstrated the importance of including knowledge related to the business aspects of health care in core nursing educational preparation.