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Shared governance councils recruit with introductions, celebrations

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, August 1, 2006

Organizations may cite many creative activities as evidence for Force 4: Personnel policies and programs. For example, Meryl Montgomery, RN, MSN, ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® coordinator and director of the learning center at the designated Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, GA, said her organization's shared governance councils are the main vehicles for exemplifying Force of Magnetism 4, source of evidence 7. The ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program® Application Manual, 2005 edition, lists source of evidence 7 as: "Provide action plans developed with direct care nurse input/involvement to address variation in unit- or service-based turnover and vacancy rates."

At Montgomery's facility, the unit councils develop specific recruitment strategies based on the unit's turnover and vacancy rates. For example, the orthopedic unit created a student recognition wall to introduce students new to the unit. New students fill out surveys, which are attached to their photographs and posted on a bulletin board. Montgomery said the popularity of this recognition wall has led other units to emulate the idea.

Another example is the facility's emergency center, which Montgomery said has several nurse externs from foreign countries. As a recruitment strategy, the center hosted a 'Round the World' nurse extern celebration. Staff nurses brought food and wore attire representing the 20 various countries of origin. The nurses created displays to reveal "fun facts" about the emergency center and staff nurses spoke with the nurse externs about why they hope they will join the facility as permanent staff members.

Source: Meryl Montgomery, RN, MSN

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