Participatory management in nursing as an alternative to traditional management

Nursing units have traditionally been managed by head nurses. This article examines an innovative concept which allows the professional nursing staff to participate in self-management at the unit level. A unit at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago is described as it changed its management structure from the traditional model to one run by the unit staff. This participatory style complements two evolving principles of the professional model of nursing, 24-hour accountability and primary nursing.