Negotiating for clinical IT dollars: lessons learned.

Politically savvy nurse leaders develop negotiating and fact-based presentation skills. Referencing point-of-care medication administration systems and elimination of healthcare acquired infections as sample initiatives, this article shares concepts for successful presentations to approval boards that select and approve IT projects. Demonstrating diligence in developing realistic cost models and metrics for clinical patient quality improvement projects enables the nurse leader to gain the momentum needed to keep the clinical project positioned as a priority for budget approval.