Question

Discuss methods to promote shared governance by a nursing staff in a healthcare organization. Explain how your unit/institution structures its staffing plan. How are issues resolved? How does the current process promote shared governance? Can the process be improved?

Answer 1

Shared governance is a structure where staff and involved in decision making and leaders/managers play a facilitative role. The following methods can improve shared governance:

• Flattening the hierarchy in the organization. This reduces the number of superiors a staff has to report to and promotes decision making at individual levels.
• Use of situational leadership in the organization helps managers and leaders in the healthcare organization to facilitate shared governance.
• Giving the staff responsibility and autonomy to make decisions at their level.
• Getting information and feedback from staff to implement changes.
• Hospital should make policies for Multidisciplinary involvement and decision making.

2. Staffing Plan

Nursing Director

Deputy Nursing Director

Head of the Departments

Nurse Managers

Nursing Supervisors

Staff Nurse

Nursing Aides

(Draw down arrows in between each category )

3. The issues with the nursing staff are solved by the nursing supervisors. If the issues are not settled, then it is taken to the next level such as Nurse managers, HOD, Deputy Directors or the Director. The current process does not promote shared governance. It can be improved by creating awareness to staff at levels about the advantages of shared governance. Creating a positive climate for shared governance by removing the barriers to shared governance would be effective. Doing projects on shared governance and its effectiveness will also prove its effectiveness.