Increasing the impact of the clinical nurse specialist through activity in a shared governance organization

For the CNS frustrated by traditional placement in an organization, participation in a shared governance organization increases opportunities to improve nursing practice and staff satisfaction. CNSs provide nursing expertise and leadership skills for specific committees as they assist staff nurses in meeting committee objectives. The authors also propose the use of a shared governance organization committee structure as a mechanism for CNSs to increase meaningful interaction with staff nurses and influence their professional development. Their model displays four pathways for CNS-staff nurse interaction through shared governance organization activities: examination of the goals of the profession, evaluation of personal needs and goals, assessment of the characteristics of one's work, and transmission of information. The support provided by the CNS in dealing with these issues increases the staff nurses' sense of a "professional self" and, it is postulated, enhances job satisfaction, decision making, and commitment to the organization's goals.