Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PNSO?
Within the UVA Health System structure, the discipline of nursing is responsible for maintaining its own professional standards of clinical practice and professional development. Nursing carries out this responsibility through the Professional Nursing Staff Organization structure. The PNSO is governed by Bylaws and guided by a number of core reference documents. The PNSO speaks for nursing as a clinical discipline via our Nursing Cabinet and elected President. The PNSO President and our Chief Nursing Officer represent nursing on various Health System committees charged with oversight of patient care.
Who belongs to the PNSO?
With the exception of Health Services Foundation staff (at their request), all registered nurses employed by the UVA Health System - staff nurses, nurse managers, administrators, school of nursing faculty, nurses of all types - are automatically deemed to be members of the PNSO. There are approximately 1,900 nurses employed by UVAHS, and they are all PNSO members.
What does it mean to be a member?
- You are accountable for your own nursing practice.
- You share aggregate accountability with your peers for the overall quality of nursing practice.
Rights of Members:
- Participate in the annual nomination and election: President-elect & nominating committee.
- Participate in the identification and resolution of practice and professional development issues and concerns.
- Participate in activities of the PNSO.
How does the work of the PNSO get done?
Annually, the PNSO elects a President-elect. The current President leads the Nursing Cabinet and its Executive Committee (comprised of the Chief Nursing Officer, the President-elect, the immediate Past-President, the Administrator for Workforce Development, the Director for Nursing Governance Programs, the Magnet Program Manager, and the Dean of the School of Nursing). In 2003, the Office of Nursing Governance Programs was formed to provide coordination and infrastructure support for nursing-related initiatives, both in the PNSO and in the larger Health System community.
Each year the Executive Committee appoints a Nursing Cabinet, comprised of nurses from across the Health System as representatives to accomplish the work of shared governance and oversee the practice and professional development of nursing. The Cabinet convenes committees, both standing and ad hoc, comprised of Cabinet members and PNSO members to accomplish the ongoing work of the PNSO.
How do you know what is going on in the PNSO?
- Keeping up-to-date with PNSO newsletters and email updates
- Becoming familiar with the resources on PNSO websites, Nursing Assemblies, Leadership Forums, Evidence-based Practice Day, and other PNSO-sponsored events
- Minutes of Cabinet Meetings are sent to all RNs, and posted on the intranet
- Communication with your key shared governance representatives - Nursing Cabinet liaisons and Congress Delegates - inviting them to participate in local staff and practice committee meetings
- Local practice area leadership: find out who your representatives are, and stay connected with them - or become a leader yourself!
- Read the PNSO's Annual Report and President's Report, usually distributed in May to all UVA nurses, highlighting the previous year's accomplishments by PNSO committees and individual PNSO members
Additional questions? Want to get involved? Please email us!
