Shared Governance

they like those concepts dont they

Empty administrative "newspeak" in the 3 facilities that I've worked at that tried it. Nothing changed, but it looked real pretty on paper!!!

Hi, we are in the process of attaining Magnet status at my hospital. And up popped this new concept. I am in charge of starting up a Shared Governance in my unit. I don't have a clue on what it is all about. I have the same concerns as others: Is this just to look pretty on paper? Or does it really work? Any advice will be helpful.

Found a good article on this concept:

http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic23/tpc23_1.htm

And here is a link to a hospital (SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital) that claims to have a form of Shared Governance with its nursing staff:

http://www.upstate.edu/nursing/gov.shtml

We aren't a Magnet hospital, but our NM uses the shared governance concept. It has its up & down sides, like anything. The up side is that we have more autonomy in how things are run on our floor. The charge nurses seem to have more of a say in how things are run, anyway- which can be good, as they are more in touch with floor issues. The down side is that you have some people that need a babysitter and can't solve things for themselves in a mature manner. So, since they can't solve things for themselves, they may feel unsupported by the NM when she doesn't butt in and save the day. The NM acts as more of a resource person, and does get involved if she needs to.

Personally, I like it. I'd rather solve my own problems if I can, as it enables me to learn from certain situations. The only problems I've had with it are mostly interpersonal ones. You might have a bully or a backbiter who takes advantage of the situation, and uses it to continue their behavior, knowing the boss will stay out of it.

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

Thanks for the info Vicky. I'm printing it out as we speak to share with my staff.

Found a good article on this concept:

http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic23/tpc23_1.htm

And here is a link to a hospital (SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital) that claims to have a form of Shared Governance with its nursing staff:

http://www.upstate.edu/nursing/gov.shtml

When you're saving money, you won't see snazzy ideas such as these. When you've got OPM (other people's money) from universities, county facilities, and so on, you start to see the paper mill projects come to light.

They need more nurses, higher salaries, and better retirement. Not "Shared Governance."

I agree with Trauma- we're in the same situation financially...Level 1 trauma, not-for-profit. It's given us the same benefits as well. We haven't gone union, so they must be doing something right.

I have been a bedside nurse for twenty years and now I am a nurse manager. I have participated in shared goverance for many years and have started a nursing practice council on my unit. Like anything in life you only get out of it what you put into it. I can tell you my staff glows when they problem solve and implement processes that make their job easier and patients more satisfied. They love the autonomy and satisfaction of having a voice.