Shared Governance

A nursing shared governance model is integrated into the operation of UC Irvine Medical Center. Shared governance enables nurses from all settings and roles to participate in decision-making groups such as committees, councils and task forces in our organization.

At UC Irvine Medical Center, there are seven overarching councils that make up our nursing shared governance model:

• The Coordinating Council provides oversight for achieving excellent outcomes in patient quality, safety and satisfaction, staff engagement and fiscal accountability. Its members include the chief nursing officer, staff nurses, a representative from the Nursing Sciences Program, inpatient leaders, ambulatory leaders, the Magnet Program director and chairs or designees from the other six councils.

• The Quality and Research Council exists to promote a spirit of clinical inquiry, evidence-based practice and nursing research. This council:
  • Provides an infrastructure for developing and conducting nursing research and includes generating ideas and discussion for research, and identifying barriers, needs and issues
  • Facilitates development, conduction, completion, dissemination and utilization of research
  • Uses the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) and Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes (CalNOC) data to assist in the formulation of research opportunities
  • Helps identify research funding opportunities to successfully connect research projects with nursing performance improvements
  Membership includes the director of Nursing Quality, Research and Education, all clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators from each division, the research coordinator, a staff nurse from each division, a nurse manager from each division, an ambulatory representative, an ambulatory leader, the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) associate director, a performance improvement representative, the director of clinical pathways and clinical informatics representative.
  

• The Professional Development Council promotes and supports professional growth of the registered nurse. This council is responsible for:
  • Regular assessment of education needs
  • Planning of the annual ongoing education calendar
  • Supporting competency-based education and evidence-based practice
  Membership includes the nursing education director or designee, a University of California nursing science representative, a human resource officer, all nurse educators, a staff nurse from each division, a chair or designee from the Research, Leadership and Practice councils, an inpatient director, an ambulatory leader, an inpatient manager from each division and an ambulatory staff representative.

• The Leadership Council provides operational leadership to the nursing staff, provides advice and collaborates with the CNO on management issues. This council communicates and implements management goals and strives to create a common language for nursing management. Its members plan and lead the nurse manager meeting and promote professional growth for succession planning as well as leadership infrastructure. Its members include the CNO, an inpatient director, an ambulatory leader, an emergency department supervisor, a nurse manager from each division, a human resource officer and a house supervisor.

• The Nursing Practice Council promotes evidence-based practice, defines practice standards and policies, and oversees nursing peer review. Its members include all clinical nurse specialists, a chair or designee of Research and Leadership councils, an inpatient nursing director, an ambulatory leader, nurse managers from each division, Division Practice council members, an ambulatory staff representative and a nursing informatics representative.

• Division Councils implement practice standards and promote shared decision making. These councils communicate with other division councils and are a forum to ensure consistency for standards of practice and improvement activities. They also translate the Professional Practice Model into actual patient care. Membership includes representatives from each division unit, a nurse manager and a clinical nurse specialist or nurse educator.

• Unit Councils are unit-based practice councils that promote shared decision making for unit activities and ensure evidence-based practice. These councils:
  • Provide communication between bedside staff and the professional practice councils
  • Teach and promote shared decision making on the unit
  • Lead pilot projects for care improvements
  • Encourage and support professional growth and a healthy work environment
  Positive patient outcomes are promoted through accountability for evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Professional growth of bedside nurses is encouraged through acknowledgement of the achievements of individuals and the team. Members include six to 12 unit staff members, unit educator, nurse manager and clinical nurse specialist.