Do You Have a Voice?

[ERERER]

Do staff nurses in your facility have any input in policy making, clinical decisions, etc? In our hospital there is upper management, who get their information on problems on the units from managers. I have read of some hospitals using shared governance to solve problems and make policy. Here staff nurses are not even included in committees that discuss clinical issues and problems, and managers are not relaying accurate information.

How involved are staff nurses at your hospital in committee work, clinical issues? We are professionals, after all, and should have a say in how we conduct our profession.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Do the nurses have a voice where I work? No, none at all. And the only way that I see them ever getting a voice is to unite with one another, and that will be a cold in heck. Unfortunatly the ones with a strong enough backbone to open their mouths, are not backed-up by their nursing peers and are labeled as trouble-makers or as having negative attitudes.

[pickledpepperRN]

We had "Shared Governance" 20 years ago. We were paid to meet. We conducted surveys. We were praised for our "accomplishments".

None of our recommendations were implemented!

Now we have a contracted practice committee. They must answer our recommendations in writing. De document the "what?, when?, where?, how, and who? of unsafe conditions and situations in writing.

NOW we have a voice when most of us are involved. Patient care is paramount. BUT what is best for the nursing staff is usually best for our patients.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

We do. However most of the nurses do not attend the monthly one hour meeting to share gripes and solutions.

I understand about just wanting to do your job and get out of there. I'm kind of in the same mode although I'm a part-time Supervisor and so have to attend. But if you don't make the time to attend, then don't stand at the nurse's station complaining loudly for all to hear about what a rotten place this is.

We make it as easy as possible - the meeting room is right on the unit. We also have once a year get-togethers at one of the sups homes . . none of the floor nurses attend.

I'd say it is like pulling teeth . . .except I got to actually pull teeth in Vietnam last summer and that is easy.

steph

[SueBee RN-BSN]

Most nurses go to work just to please the doctors. On one job interview I asked if the nurses and docs worked together as a team. I was told we were there to please the docs.

Any thoughts?

[sister--*]

We're lucky. Our Doctors are pleasant and willing to collaborate.

As far as meetings and such; our floor nurses are whole heartedly invited to attend and participate. Our problem is is that on day shift there is no one to take our patients so we can attend! For non-floor nurses the schedule is made so that they have a replacement if needed.

Generally, second and third shift floor nurses have greater access to these meetings. If, of course, they come in on their own time.