Question

Describe how shared governance promotes nursing involvement in policy development and decision-making in any given care setting. Include the group’s ideas on how to best implement shared governance

Answer 1

Shared governance promotes nursing empowerment and shared decision making by making staff nurses accountable for decisions related to patient care and policies.

It is a creative approach for professional accountability. Involvement of nurses in decision making is the first step towards shared governance which acts as intermediate between nurses and higher management

The decision making can be related to evidence based practices, new equipment purchase or staffing. This promotes active involvement of whole health care team, promote positive patient outcomes and job satisfaction and retention among nurses

Shared decision making is not only relevant but essential, which involves problem solving, teamwork and accountability

Shared governance promotes nursing involvement by cultivating culture of ownership

Best way to implement shared governance

• Establish continuous focus on mission and vision of shared governance
• Form a committee
• Educate all the nurses about shared governance model and role of each individual
• Create policy for open communication
• Include staff in council development and redesign
• Empower teams to make decisions that leads to improvements in patients care
• Coaching committee members on process and role
• Shared governance meetings should be accessible to all, for in-person, voice calls and video calls