Nursing Shared Governance at Baxter Regional Medical Center

On a Magnet Journey to Excellence

BRMC is on a Journey to Excellence to achieve Magnet status. Shared Governance is an integral part of this journey. Shared Governance supports and encourages a dynamic partnership between nursing and leadership. Collaboration promotes shared decision-making and accountability by empowering all members of the healthcare workforce to have an active voice in issues that affect work. Satisfied individuals take ownership of their decisions and work to improve patient outcomes.

Shared Governance consists of Unit Based Councils (UBC) and Divisional Councils. These councils meet monthly to talk about standardization and improvement of practice, development, safety, quality, and evidence-based research.

Nursing Divisional Councils include:

Practice Council – Ensures nursing practice is evidence-based and consistent with professional standards. Subcommittees: Nursing Division Standards and Transforming Care at the Bedside.

Development Council – Focuses on the professional growth of nursing staff, promoting advanced degrees, certifications, and recruitment/retention. Subcommittee: Nurse’s Week

Safety/Quality Council – Identifies, reviews, and analyzes nurse-sensitive indicators, national patient safety goals, and patient satisfaction. Subcommittees: Ad Hock Fall Prevention Task Force, Ad Hock Medication Error Task Force, Ad Hock Pressure Injury Prevention Task Force.

Research Council – Ignites a spirit of inquiry to create, nurture, and support a culture of evidence-based practice in nursing.

Coordinating Council – Consists of the Divisional Co-Chairs who are responsible for the bylaws of shared governance and identify gaps and duplication within the councils.

Leadership Council – Nursing Leadership Team collaborates with Divisional Chairs to provide support and remove barriers.