Nursing Shared Leadership Committees

Nursing Shared Leadership Committees

Our shared leadership committees enable nurses from all settings and roles to actively participate in organizational decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership development activities. 

Our shared leadership structure is designed to foster horizontal and vertical communication, inspire nursing excellence, and promote autonomy and accountability among nurses throughout the organization.

Committee members, in collaboration with the committee facilitators, who are directors of Nursing, develop annual goals based on divisional priorities that are aligned with the strategic goals of both the nursing division and the overall organization.

Nurses from all settings and roles have the opportunity to apply for a two-year term on a shared leadership committee, subcommittee or taskforce. Terms are staggered so that 50 percent of members rotate off the committees each year.

APRN/PA Committee

Provides a forum for increasing the visibility, collaboration and contributions of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) across Northwestern Medicine by providing advanced practice clinical leadership the opportunity to improve systems and processes critical to the practice of APPs.

Oversees the dissemination and enculturation of new APP initiatives, including the APP framework for practice, transition into practice and APP student process; and advancing the leadership of APPs at the local, regional and national levels. Contributes to innovations in nursing, patient care and the practice environment.

Nursing Professional Practice Committee

Oversees nursing practice to ensure the delivery of safe, high quality, and evidence-based care consistent with Northwestern Memorial's Framework for Nursing Practice and the NM Interdisciplinary Relationship-Based Care practice model. Monitors quality metrics to ensure that nurses can recommend evidence-based practice changes to meet quality metrics goals, oversees the work of the Nursing Peer Review Subcommittee, the Nursing Healthcare Policy Subcommittee and the Nursing Quality and Patient Safety Subcommittee. Oversees the annual nursing taskforces developed to advance specific strategic goals. Reviews the hospital's written staffing plan biannually to ensure ongoing compliance with Staffing by Patient Acuity Legislation.

Nursing Professional Development Committee

Advances opportunities for professional development in areas such as certification, career development, Diploma/ADN to BSN education, mentoring programs, professional organization involvement and volunteerism. Develops programs and initiatives to advance professional recognition for nurses. Develops processes to enhance nursing professionalism. Advances opportunities for networking of nurses, such as the Nursing Professional Development Fair and events to support ongoing education.

Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Committee

Advances nursing research- and evidence-based practice projects across Northwestern Memorial Hospital through education, mentoring and the development of effective processes and support structures. Participates in planning and executing the annual Nursing Research Symposium. Approves credentials of all nursing principal investigator candidates and makes recommendations to Northwestern University's Associate Vice President for Research. Reviews and approves all proposals conducted by nurses or that involve nurses as research subjects.

Northwestern Medical Group Nursing Practice Subcommittee

Develops opportunities for professional development for NMG nurses in areas such as career development, continuing education, mentoring programs, professional organization involvement and volunteerism. Develops processes to enhance nursing professionalism at NMG. Develops programs and initiative to advance professional recognition for Nurses. Advances opportunities for networking for nurses at NMG to support ongoing education.

Magnet Subcommittee

Focuses on Magnet Sources of Evidence and Empirical Outcomes at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Nursing Healthcare Policy Subcommittee

Reviews and implements Lippincott Nursing procedures in all nursing areas. Sends all updated, completed, reviewed policies and procedures to the Nursing Professional Practice Committee for approval. Reviews and revises nursing policies and procedures incorporating evidence-based practices as appropriate.

Nursing Peer Review Subcommittee

Identifies opportunities for advancing the quality of nursing care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Provides professional development for all parties involved in the review process. Empowers clinical nurses who exhibit best practices to identify and address gaps in quality care.

Nursing Quality and Patient Safety Subcommittee

Improves nursing performance related to quality and financial targets by focusing on specific outcomes in high opportunity areas. Informs the Nursing Professional Practice Committee of best practices regarding how to communicate metrics with the professional nursing staff.

Inclusivity Taskforce

Identifies current and desired state inclusivity opportunities at NMH, formulates recommendations to build upon our strengths and close any identified gap in our care provision as it relates to inclusivity in order to continue to foster a robust culture of inclusivity within our NM Interdisciplinary Relationship-Based Care practice model.