What Committees are you on?

psu_213, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I would think that, yes, it does "look good" on your resume to have a committee membership...

Out of curiosity, what is a "length of stay" committee? Length of stay of nurses (like R and R) or for patients?

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I am proud to say in 25 years of doing this I have never been on one committee. I p[lan on retiring in a couple of years and will still have never been on a committee. I have never seen anything ever suggested by a committee work.

EmergencyNrse · Nov 24, 2011

Don't do it because you feel it might look good on a resume. You need to do it because you WANT to do it. I don't think it matters to a future employer really.

Ultimately you're dedicating extra time out of your day, your life... Your time usually is uncompensated and it's to an organization that will fire you tomorrow if they feel like it.

Do your job. Do it well. Leave the committee stuff to the busy-bodies.

Keeps you away from all the political stuff. But hey, just my 0.02 here.

I have never joined a committee...

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

None.

And that's the way, a huh, a huh, I like it, a huh a huh, that's the way I like it.

Crux1024 · Nov 25, 2011

I was on the "Restraints" committee once upon a time (didnt do much), in my new job I joined the "Press ganey" commitee, mostly b/c I want to know what the public thinks of the ER. It only helps in the case of clinical laddering at my hospital, however some people use it as some "away from patients" time, as there is 4 hours a month allocated for committee members to do committee work. And some use it as an oppprtunity to snuggle with management or meet bigwigs (in the case of hospital wide committees). Some do it b/c they genuinely enjoy it. So, its up to you, sometimes a change is nice.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

I am on the "green" committee ( appointed), client satisfaction press ganey (mandatory for clinical ladder) and power user (by reccomendation). I like them all, and hope to become more active, as I gain more experience, and as I finish my schooling but hope to eventually be free! I feel as my participation will be similar to a plant's life: Born, grown, reproduce and die...

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 25, 2011

When I worked Telemetry/Resp step down was on the policy and procedure comimttee--helped to keep current and introduce evidence based practice to hospital. That experience helped me now as homecare Central Intake Manager since work is totally different from visit staff, needing to create forms and department policies.

Now I chair Referral Source and Physician satisfaction and serve on Safety committee, when chair implimented sharps safety 10yrs ago.

Committee work can have a possitive impact on patient care and work processes -- especailly when you put your heart into it.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

Wow, I didn't realize that so many people had such strong feelings about being on a committee!

I think part of my previous burn out was no say in the organization. This time around, I chose to join some committees. That way I figured I couldn't complain if I didn't like the process people imposed on me. lol

As it stands today, I'm on the following:

Union bargaining team member

monthly computer process

Ed to Med Surg flow

Central line infection auditor (report findings)

observation status to med/surg flow

soon to be report/rounds committee (redoing the process)

RROHC

Hiring committee for employees.

Some others have fallen off and others are starting up. Yes, it does take time out of my days off, but I do get paid for them, so that helps. I think, for me, it's made me a happier employee. Managment has seen me in many different roles, anywhere from a sign carrying picketing union member, and going toe to toe with the DNS, to being with the DNS in many of these meetings and us having new found respect for each other because we are on the same page.:)

Nccity2002, MSN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

I was thinking about joining a committee on my floor, we have a ton of them and they are always looking for new members. Are there any advantages to being on one of them? (besides making your hospital a better place to work, improving pt satisfaction) I mean, does it look good on your resume if you have been on a committee? What committes does your workplace have, and what ones are you on?
Some that we have:
Patient satisfaction
Falls
Rewards and Recognition
Nurse Education
Length of stay
and a ton more I can't think of right now.

I had beed involved with several nursing committees since I was a new grad, and from personal experience, it will broaded your undestanding of nursing and administration processess and give you the opportunity to participate in improving those practices. It is also a great opportunity for networking, within your facility (depending on the type of committee you join)...you never know when you may need a pertinent reference or apply for another position, within you facility. Not sure what is your area, mine is critical care and working in a teaching facility, pretty much cover every commette you can think of (We even have a fitness committe!!). The best advice I can give is to find a committe that really interest you (remenber, you will be spending time and effort with them), then join, learn and grow :nurse:

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2011

None and I like it that way! I prefer to enjoy my off time with my family, friends and hobbies and not live and breathe the hospital!

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Nov 27, 2011

I'm on the "Night Shift Don't Get No Committees" Committee.