2011 Nursing Annual Report - FINAL.pub - South Shore Hospital

Structural EmpowermentShared Governance at South Shore HospitalIn 1990, South Shore Hospital was among the first hospitals in the nation to create a shared governancemodel of nursing practice. Today, the organizational strategy is to evolve and support evidenced‐basedchanges in nursing practice that result in optimal patient outcomes. Patients and families are at the centerof our care processes and their optimal health drives practice change at the bedside.Nurses provide care as part of an integrated team of medical and clinical colleagues. Effective and efficientdecision‐making requires a coordinated and organized approach to this important and complexwork. Shared Governance provides the needed structure for nurses throughout South Shore Hospital tocollaborate about professional practice issues and contribute a distinctive perspective to interdisciplinarycare.Clinical nurses from various departments across the entire organization research evidence‐based practice.They develop their professional practice through peer review, case presentation and certification,review key quality metrics, and apply technology to support process improvement initiatives. The endresult of all these efforts results in improved patient care and better patient outcomes.Why Get Involved?Shared Governance is a proven concept that leads to empowerment of nurses and ultimately to professionalautonomy. When organizations establish this type of professional practice environment, evidenceshows improved patient outcomes.Shared Governance offers the means to influence the quality of care you and others provide.Serving as a council member or council chairperson is a recognized leadership role within SouthShore Hospital and in other organizations.Actively participating in Shared Governance is an opportunity to develop career‐building skills inpractice, research, quality, education, and leadership.Rather than being one who reacts to change initiated by others, the door is open for you to becomea partner in the change process.The ability to lead and influence others is a necessary step in clinical advancement and in your ownprofessional development.6