Module 6
Ch 14: Workforce Engagement Through Collective Action and Governance
Work environments that empower and engage nurses promote the idea of nurses having a voice in decisions that impact their professional practice, impact patient outcomes, and increase job satisfaction. Empowerment through shared decision making and creating an atmosphere in which nurses feel safe and respected can help create a healthy work environment in which nurses will be attracted and will retain employment. This chapter provides information on how to assess work environments through assessing
collective action and bargaining strategies
Learning outcomes:
1. Explain the role of nurse empowerment/engagement in creating healthy work environments.
2. Explain the role of management in addressing incivility and bullying in the workplace.
3. Evaluate how key characteristics of selected collective action strategies apply in the workplace through shared governance, workplace advocacy, and collective bargaining.
4. Explain how participation of direct care nurses in decision making relates to job satisfaction and improved patient outcomes.
Nurses as Knowledge Workers
With the increase in the complexity of healthcare systems and the demand from consumers of high-quality care, nurses need to have formal education and be knowledge workers. Knowledge workers use theoretical and analytical knowledge in which nursing is guided more by science than procedure. Nurse knowledge workers play a direct, vital role in increasing performance in the organizations where they work as well as improving care by providing critical input on decision making.
Workplace Advocacy, Engagement, and Empowerment
Workplace advocacy equips nurses to skillfully use a range of activities and strategies. These tactics focus on strengthening nursing's voice and ensuring nurse involvement in workplace decisions. Active participation in nursing of all members helps create a healthy workplace in which it is safe to speak up and hazards are
Equips nurses to practice in a rapidly changing environment
Employee engagement relates to the level of an employee's commitment and connection to an organization. Nurse's engagement is accomplished by leaders who encourage participation in decision making, show
outcomes and satisfaction with the healthcare received as well as by improved nurse job satisfactions and
better nurse retention.
Empowerment is defined as "the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights" In the workplace it is sharing power and control through participation in decision making. Leaders must empower nurses by promoting autonomy and supporting nurses and their voice in their own practice. Leaders who empower nurses create an environment where employees take ownership. Nurses who take ownership ultimately improve patient outcomes and employee retention.
Shared Governance
Nursing governance is the methodology or system by which a department of nursing controls and directs the formulation and the administration of nursing policy. Shared governance is described as a democratic, egalitarian concept; it is a dynamic process resulting from shared decision making and accountability. Shared
positively affects nurse retention and job satisfaction.
Collective Action and Collective Bargaining in Nursing
Collective action is defined as activities that are undertaken by a group of people who have commo