Utilizing Shared Governance Model to Develop a State of Nursing Report

Abstract

<p>Nursing Professional Development Specialists are often called upon to collect evidence about direct care staff achievements and the condition of the patient care units in which they practice in preparation for Magnet&reg;. An innovative strategy to meet this challenge is the development of an annual &lt;i&gt;State of Nursing&lt;/i&gt; report. Through a Shared Governance Model, the Nursing Professional Development Specialist and the direct care nurses create a living document of past, present and future unit based activities. These activities include but are not limited to: certifications, continuing education, Evidenced Based Practice initiatives, Quality Improvement projects and Best Practice strategies. The &lt;i&gt;State of Nursing&lt;/i&gt; report provides sources evidence to support the Magnet&reg; Model of Transformational Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Exemplary Professional Practice and New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements. In addition, the &lt;i&gt;State of Nursing&lt;/i&gt; report, serves as a tool to acclimate newly hired staff to the expected roles and responsibilities of direct care nurses on that unit. The Shared Governance Model is a collaborative approach that empowers direct care nurses to engage in the decision making process and be accountable for their nursing practice at the unit level. The &lt;i&gt;State of Nursing&lt;/i&gt; report transforms the way in which direct care nurses evaluate nursing practice, maintain and document professional requirements and contribute to a Magnet&reg; culture in the health care facility.&lt;br /&gt;</p>