Shared Governance

The Hunterdon Nursing Division has had Shared Governance as its practice framework since 1989. We were a recipient of NJ Nurse Incentive Recognition Award. This grant supported the implementation of our Shared Governance Model. We have a total of 5 councils – Nurse Practice, Education, PI/Research, Nurse Management, and Coordinating Council.

All staff nurses belonging to a council are paid for an 8 hour day. Back-filling their position is done so that staffing is adequate. The council meets approximately 10 times a year. Supporting each council is a member of Nursing Administration and Staff Development to guide, mentor and advise.

Our Shared Governance model, with its long standing history, is considered a mature model. The Health Care Advisory Board Company in Washington, D.C. highlighted Hunterdon’s Model of Shared Governance in a publication entitled, “Toward Staff-Driven Decision Making, Assessing, Building, and Sustaining a Shared Governance Model”, 2005.

This Shared Governance model is not a program but a way of life at Hunterdon. This accountability-based model supports the professional nurse in his/her practice and work environment. Shared Governance also fosters the growth and development of new leaders. The most important aspect of this model is that nurses at Hunterdon have a voice.