Nursing Shared Governance

The Chief Nursing Officer at UVAHS leads nursing utilizing an innovative structure that fosters the integration of clinical staff leaders in partnership with nursing management. She is responsible for the nursing practice in all areas of the Health System. Her leadership supports a thriving and long-lived model of shared governance, the Professional Nursing Staff Organization (PNSO).

This professional practice structure was first adopted in 1988. It has matured and evolved since that time. Bylaws were developed utilizing a parliamentary process. There is a unique budget for the PNSO. The priority of leadership by practicing nurses, and the primacy of clinical practice to the discipline, is reflected in the support of the roles of President and President-elect as shared positions. These nurse leaders have 50% of their time supported centrally while retaining 50% of their time in their clinical roles. The participation of direct-care nurses in institutional planning and decision-making is achieved through this representative democracy.

Nursing shared governance is deeply valued by all nurses at the UVAHS. The PNSO provides a formal and exemplary system for conducting the practice of nursing in an academic medical center.