1 Strengths-Based Nursing: A Process for Implementing a Philosophy Into Practice Laurie N. Gottlieb, RN, PhD 1,2,3 and Bruce Gottlieb, PhD 1,2,3 Abstract Strengths-based nursing (SBN) is both a philosophy and value-driven approach that can guide clinicians, educators, manager/leaders, and researchers. SBN is rooted in principles of person/family centered care, empowerment, relational care, and innate health and healing. SBN is family nursing yet not all family nursing models are strengths-based. The challenge is how to translate a philosophy to change practice. In this article, we describe a process of implementation that has organically evolved of a multi-layered and multi-pronged approach that involves patients and families, clinicians, educators, leaders, managers, researchers as well as key stakeholders including union leaders, opinion leaders, and policy makers from both nursing and other disciplines. There are two phases to the implementation process, namely, Phase I: pre-commitment/pre-adoption and Phase 2: adoption. Each phase consists of distinct steps with accompanying strategies. These phases occur both sequentially and concurrently. Facilitating factors that enable the implementation process include values which align, readiness to accept SBN, curiosity-courage-commitment on the part of early adopters, a critical mass of early adopters, and making SBN approach both relevant and context specific. Keywords strengths-based nursing, strengths-based leadership, strengths-based care, implementation, leadership and management training program 1. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2. Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 3. International Institute of Strengths-Based Nursing and Health Care, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Corresponding Author: Laurie N. Gottlieb, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 680 Rue Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0B8. Email: laurie.gottlieb@mcgill.ca