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Learning Objective 1: recognize a shared leadership environment supports professional practice and empowers nurses to drive practice changes that promotes nursing excellence while improving patient outcomes
Learning Objective 2: distinguish how the strenght of a Shared Leadership model will enhance communication and collaboration between all disciplines throughout the organization
The current body of shared governance literature which was examined supports that implementing a shared governance model is effective in impacting positive patient outcomes and nursing satisfaction (Hess 1994; O’Grady, 2003; Pierson, P., Miller, J. & Moore, K. 2007). Shared decision making, participation in practice management and collaboration are primary goals in shared governance. Shared governance is frequently misunderstood as giving power to the nursing staff, which grossly undervalues the outcomes that can be obtained when professional practice is embedded in the organization.
The recent Nursing NDNQI survey completed at our organization identified opportunities for nursing practice to become more autonomous and for nurses to be more involved in decision making. In an effort to do this, we moved to strengthen existing groups and merged into council structures to influence the professional practice of nursing at our facility. We reviewed the existing framework and structure councils to support our work of: identifying the work of a new council structure, determine membership and reporting structure and writing the governing by-laws and functions of the four councils: Evidenced Based Practice, Professional Practice, Quality and Operations council. Our follow up outcomes shows an increase in the nurse’s perception of increased autonomy and decision making.