ABSTRACT
The move to empowerment is on. Healthcare organizations are beginning to recognize the benefits of staff empowerment to both the organization and the staff members. The question for educators is how can skills be best used to support the organization throughout the change. In this article, the role of the educator in the implementation of staff empowerment at a large tertiary care center is described.
Subject(s)
Decision Making, Organizational , Faculty, Nursing , Job Description , Nursing Staff, Hospital/education , Power, Psychological , Humans , Models, Nursing , Nursing Staff, Hospital/organization & administration , Professional Staff Committees , Social SupportABSTRACT
In the current health care environment, changes in organizational structure and care delivery systems are occurring in an effort to improve quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction while decreasing cost. Shared governance empowers the staff to help facilitate these changes. The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a key person in facilitating and maintaining the shared governance environment. This new facet of the role makes the CNS a valuable resource and is instrumental in helping the organization achieve its goals. This article addresses the CNS's role in the initiation and continuation of shared governance within the nursing department.
