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.
Shared Governance Officers:
CNO - Shannon Nachtigal, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Magnet Program Director & Director Clinical Excellence - Barbara Dyson, MSN, RN - Nursing Administration
Practice Chair - Kamie Swanson, BSN, RN, CRRN- Clinical Nurse, Acute Rehab
Practice CoChair - Hannah Blasdel, BSN RN–Clinical Nurse, ICU
Development Chair - Megan Wunderlin, RN, RNC-OB, IBCLC–Educator, WNCC
Development CoChair - Jennifer Bohrtz, ADN, RN, WCC–Wound Nurse, Nursing Administration
Safety/Quality Chair - Allison Carter, ADN, RN–Outpatient Appeals Coordinator, Continuity of Care
Safety/Quality CoChair - Angie Knight ADN, RN–Quality Care Coordinator, Baxter Physician Partners
New Knowledge & Innovation Chair - Leigh Ann Dowling, MSN, RN–Clinical Informatics Analyst II, Clinical
Informatics
New Knowledge & Innovation CoChair - Open
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.
New Knowledge & Innovation 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.
Nursing Division Shared Governance Model
Nursing Divisional Councils - Functions
