Administrative support team. A structural innovation

In response to societal, organization, and leadership changes, an innovative nursing structure was implemented and evaluated. An administrative support team was developed to provide specialized internal consultation and support to a flattened and decentralized nursing division. The four administrative support team roles provided an organization perspective that ensured constancy of purpose throughout the division. This structural innovation proved to be congruent with nursing shared governance and total quality management initiatives occurring in the organization. Evaluation studies indicated that the model has effectively supported 5 years of continuing organizational change.