Nurses Can Be Heard Through Shared Governance.

Abstract

I recently read the editorial in the February 2022 issue of Critical Care Nurse, entitled “Difficult Times Without Easy Solutions: Nurses Want to Be Heard!” (2022;42[1]:7-9), and I think Dr Bourgault’s comments hit the nail on the head. I work as a consultant with lots of hospitals across the United States and internationally, and the situation described by Dr Bourgault is known to many of us—our systems need to be overhauled and there are no easy answers or quick fixes. Bonuses and incentives are not going to change the system dysfunctions.More than ever before, I know that we as nurses need to go beyond “being heard”; we need to move into a driver’s seat position. We have been asking for many of these system and work environment changes in health care for years, starting before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we have an opportunity to shape health care like never before, and we need to step forward and seize this opportunity.One of the best methods to shape and create action is through shared governance. Many organizations have shared governance or something like it in place. Also, many organizations are currently revamping their shared governance because it has a direct impact on staff satisfaction and staff retention.1 According to Guanci,2 shared governance “addresses the foundational tenet of professional practice: control over practice and the practice environment.” Moreover, shared governance is required in the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program3 and the Pathway to Excellence criteria.4My advice to any nurse anywhere in any nursing job is to lean into shared governance. Get on a council, form a group, ask where the decisions are made, and show up. We can build new ways of care and nursing. We have a window of opportunity right now to change systems, structures, and support networks. Act on it. If we wait for someone to come to us and ask us for our thoughts, we may miss this window. Let us be heard and be in charge of health care. Start anywhere you can take action and be creative. No effort or committee is too small. This is our moment.