Shared Governance During a Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Leadership
• Public Health Crises

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to US hospitals starting in early 2020.
• Many nurse leaders adopted crisis management strategies in response to the pandemic's onset.
• The pandemic's impact on established healthcare operational models, specifically shared governance, became a significant concern for clinical nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the resilience and function of shared governance models in US hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify key lessons learned from the intersection of a major public health crisis and nursing shared governance.
• To provide practical advice for maintaining and adapting shared governance in future healthcare crises.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of experiences within US hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Review of the operational status of shared governance structures amidst crisis conditions.
• Synthesis of anecdotal evidence and leadership observations regarding shared governance continuity.

Main Results:

• Hospitals with well-established shared governance models demonstrated resilience, continuing operations even without formal council meetings.
• At some institutions, the pandemic led to a perceived absence or disruption of shared governance, causing concern among clinical nurses.
• The pandemic highlighted the importance of adaptable and robust shared governance frameworks in healthcare settings.

Conclusions:

• Shared governance models, particularly those with strong foundations, can endure significant disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Hospitals need strategies to ensure the visibility and function of shared governance during crises to maintain nurse engagement.
• Lessons learned from the pandemic can inform the strengthening of shared governance for future public health emergencies.