Study offers insight on involving front-line nurses in governance

Front-line nurses want to be involved in hospital staff policy-making but often feel they do not have a way to voice their concerns, according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Nursing. Study participants recommended nurse managers collect nurses’ input through frequent, anonymous unit surveys and ensure diverse unit representation on nurse committees and councils. The study authors suggested nurse leaders should respond to staff nurses’ recommendations. If they cannot implement a recommendation, leaders should explain why and propose other ways to address the concern. Nurse managers also should incorporate video conferencing to make committee meetings more accessible, plan meetings with staff nurses’ schedules in mind and disseminate meeting minutes to all nurses to foster engagement. The qualitative study surveyed 32 nurses from 14 states in the spring of 2021.