Strengthening Nursing Shared Governance Through Implementation of Unit-Based Councils

Abstract

“Shared governance is…the vehicle for change, growth, and empowerment for the profession and the professional.” 1 Porter-O'Grady T Implementing Shared Governance: Creating a Professional Organization. Mosby-Year Book, Atlanta, GA1992 Google Scholar (p ix) The nurses providing direct care are in the optimal position to impact professional practice through identification of what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be improved and/or changed. As a result, consistent, safe, and quality patient outcomes can be realized, communication processes can improve, and satisfaction, empowerment, and engagement of the nursing staff can increase. Providing opportunities for the direct care nurse to have control over changes in professional practice, work environment, policies, procedures, and unit-specific initiatives is an important component of achieving success, ownership, and professional accountability. As a result, benefits are realized by the nurses, the patients, families, and the organization. “Shared governance is…the vehicle for change, growth, and empowerment for the profession and the professional.” 1 Porter-O'Grady T Implementing Shared Governance: Creating a Professional Organization. Mosby-Year Book, Atlanta, GA1992 Google Scholar (p ix) The nurses providing direct care are in the optimal position to impact professional practice through identification of what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be improved and/or changed. As a result, consistent, safe, and quality patient outcomes can be realized, communication processes can improve, and satisfaction, empowerment, and engagement of the nursing staff can increase. Providing opportunities for the direct care nurse to have control over changes in professional practice, work environment, policies, procedures, and unit-specific initiatives is an important component of achieving success, ownership, and professional accountability. As a result, benefits are realized by the nurses, the patients, families, and the organization.