Partnership Negotiations: Innovation for Nurse Contract Negotiations During Turbulent Times

Health care delivery is undergoing rapid change, with frontline nurses at the epicenter. A mind-set requiring innovative collaboration, creativity, flexibility, and openness to new care delivery models is necessary. This article describes an innovative approach to modern world contract negotiations in a 371-bed university-affiliated hospital. The nurses' contract negotiations were scheduled to begin 6 months after a layoff affected nurses and other caregivers. Concurrently, a strike was underway at a hospital in the state with the same union. Contentious negotiations were anticipated. Strategies employed to prepare for negotiations included consultation with a nurse expert, and an agreement between the chief nursing officer and chairman of the Shared Governance Committee to conduct negotiations that would allow for more dialogue between the staff nurse and nursing leadership teams. Sessions opened with a video address by a major health care nurse thought leader who provided an overview of the current health care landscape and future direction of nursing. Joint presentations by staff nurses and nurse leaders on topics of interest were conducted. "Nurses for Nurses" round table sessions took place each day, and valuable work was completed at breakout sessions. Ultimately, the partnership negotiations resulted in a successfully negotiated contract.