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Weekly Q&A: Engaging executive management and nonnursing partners

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, January 30, 2007

This week, a reader wants to know how to engage executive management and nonnursing department heads in the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® (MRP). Read the response below from our advisor Diana Swihart, PhD, DMin, MSN, CS, APRN,BC, CNS in nursing education and MRP coordinator at Bay Pines (FL) VA Healthcare System.

Q: Can you suggest examples of ways to engage executive management and nonnursing department heads in the Magnet Recognition Program®?

A: Executive management and nonnursing stakeholders are critical in establishing and maintaining a culture of excellence, so how do you get their buy-in for nursing? Begin by considering their questions and concerns, such as patient outcomes, staff satisfaction scores, quality assurance, research, return on investment, and recruitment and retention of all staff.

Then let everyone know what you are doing from the very beginning of the journey. The following are five ways to educate, communicate, and engage:

1. Involve EVERYONE. Make sure the steering committee and champions have representatives from all departments.
2. Brainstorm and collect questions and ideas at multidisciplinary team meetings. Do not assume that leaders-especially nonnursing leaders-know anything about the program, shared governance, or nursing-specific achievements. Engage one another at every opportunity.
3. Ask employees to donate-and receive-gifts and incentives for participating in related activities.
4. Have all departments engage in their own activities. Encourage them to share stories about how they have contributed to interdisciplinary efforts.
5. Celebrate together at every opportunity along the journey.

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