Leadership has always been at the heart of nursing, and we believe knowledgeable, collaborative and genuinely caring nurse leaders are essential to a strong nursing team. Our commitment to supportive and strong nursing leadership inspired and guided the development of our shared governance structure. Shared Governance promotes clinical staff empowerment and shared decision-making.
Our Nursing Council Structure
As active members in our shared governance council structure, our nurses play an important role in decisions that impact policies, procedures, processes and outcomes at the point of care. In fact, all of our clinical staff have a voice in professional governance through council representatives, staff meetings, and unit-based learning and idea boards.
As part of Covenant Health, St. Mary’s Health System and our team of nurses have access to an even deeper bench of nursing experience and expertise. Here is a high-level overview of our council structures and their unique roles.
- Covenant Health Patient Care Coordination Council: This council oversees all other nursing councils and committees across all of Covenant Health’s post-acute, senior living, outpatient and inpatient facilities.
- Quality Council: Insert description
- Clinical & Nurse Practice Council: Insert description
- Quality Council: Insert description
Benefits of Nursing Shared Governance
In addition to offering nurses additional opportunities to grow and advance, there are numerous benefits that result from nursing professional shared governance, including:
- Increased Satisfaction & Retention
- Higher Patient Satisfaction
- Stronger Teamwork & Collaboration
- Improved Nurse Engagement
- Better Patient Outcomes
- Professional Growth & Advancement