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Shared governance councils pave the way for nursing participation

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, October 17, 2006

Shared governance is reflected in both Force of Magnetism 2: Organizational structure and Force 3: Management style, and shared governance councils can effectively demonstrate decentralized, shared decision-making and direct care nurses involvement, feedback, and participation in the nursing practice and work environment. At the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, GA, an ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®-designated facility since 2005, the Education and Professional Development councils are able to address professional aspects of the environment, says Meryl Montgomery, RN, MSN, director of the learning center and Magnet Recognition Program coordinator at the Medical Center. Both councils are chaired by a staff nurse, include staff nurse membership from representative nursing units as well as other disciplines, and have a nurse administrative advisor, who serves to mentor the chair as well as pave the way for council success, Montgomery says.

The Education Council is responsible for assisting practice, quality, and other councils with educational roll-outs, has overall coordination functions, provides standardization of common competency processes and checklists, and coordinates interdisciplinary clinical rounds.

The Professional Development Council develops tuition policy and retention strategies, coordinates quarterly Professional Achievement and Clinical Excellence awards, manages the Clinical Ladder programs, coordinates the action plans for the RN survey, manages peer review programs, and selects recipients for designation fund awards and scholarships.

Source: Meryl Montgomery, RN, MSN

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