What is the purpose of benchmarking in nursing?

• A. To determine staffing levels only.
• B. To fundraise.
• C. To compare performance against other like institutions.
• D. To assess patient satisfaction exclusively.

Answer: (C)

Benchmarking in nursing is a systematic process of comparing an organization’s performance with that of similar institutions to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. By looking at a range of metrics—such as patient outcomes, safety indicators, efficiency, and patient satisfaction—nurses and leaders can see how they stack up against peers, learn about practices that produce better results, and set realistic targets for change. The core idea is external comparison to drive quality and reliability across the care delivery system.

That makes the best choice clear: benchmarking is about comparing performance against other like institutions to uncover where improvements are needed and what proven approaches to adopt. It’s not solely about determining staffing levels, fundraising, or focusing only on patient satisfaction—though those elements can be part of the broader benchmarking picture.