What is shared management?

There are certain words and phrases which might be used often in nursing and medicine – sometimes so often that we lose track of their true meaning. And sometimes we didn’t really understand them in any respect.

For me, “shared governance” was one such phrase. In the past, if someone asked me what shared governance meant, I’d have some difficulty explaining it intimately. Sure, I’d answer that it’s a model of nurses working together and managing independently, but beyond that I could be lost.

That is, until I did some reading. I now feel higher prepared to debate shared governance and its role in nursing. Here’s what I’d say now:

Shared governance is collaboration, whether it’s scheduling staff, educating recent employees, or implementing evidence-based practices. It involves teamwork, problem solving and accountability with the goal of improving staff satisfaction, productivity and patient outcomes. Collaborates in making decisions that impact nursing practice and patient care. Collaborates with other disciplines for the good thing about the patient. Collaborates to enhance nursing practice.

Let me share the next passage which I discovered very informative:

Is there a standard management structure where you’re employed? Have you been involved in implementing shared management? I’d like to learn more; appears like a really perfect work environment, but I ponder – does it really exist?

1. Church, J. A., Baker, P., Berry, D. M. (2008). Shared management: travel with continuous mile markers.