Shelley Moore, M.S.N., R.N.
New director of shared governance implementation named
Shelley Moore, M.S.N., R.N., former assistant director of Vanderbilt- Ingram Cancer Center’s Affiliate Network, has been named the new director of Shared Governance Implementation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Moore said shared governance — generally defined as a collaboration among physicians, nurses and other members of the clinical care team — is more of a philosophy or journey, rather than a method.
“You get the most viable solutions to very complicated issues through team collaboration. I’m eager to work with the staff and managers who are giving and coordinating care at Vanderbilt. A goal is to create an environment that assists the delivery of the highest quality of care possible, by involving key people like those providing the service,” Moore said.
“It usually appeals to nurses and other health care providers because it allows open communication and information sharing and team building. It evolves and lives within the team itself, which leads to shared decisions about the work environment and clinical care at the bedside. The ‘shared’ in shared governance means a sharing of ideas and alternatives, along with the accountability for putting those into action responsibly,” she added.
In her new role, Moore will work closely with the unit and clinic boards in the Medical Center, which are comprised of collaborative groups of staff and managers, to facilitate the implementation and continuum of shared governance.
She has previous experience with the shared governance approach as both a clinical staff nurse and as a nursing and hospital administrator.
Implementing the shared governance model is one of the steps in the process of putting the pieces in place to apply for and earn Magnet Status. Magnet is the highest award an organization can receive for nursing care as established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a division of the American Nurses Association.
Moore quoted a founding father of the shared governance concept who said, “Shared governance is the structural centerpiece of magnet excellence.”
Moore said Vanderbilt has all of the right ingredients for Magnet status, starting with inspirational leadership at the top of the organization.
“Shared governance has been in place here for years, but with the rapid growth of Vanderbilt, not all units and clinics are on board yet, while others are ready to take their unit boards to the next level. We want to literally be a magnet to employees and patients, and we believe that by more efficiently tapping into the expertise and creativity of people at the bedside, we can do that,” Moore said.
Marilyn Dubree, M.S.N., chief nursing officer and director of Patient Care Services at VUMC, agrees, and makes the point that shared governance isn’t being implemented solely in attempt to earn the Magnet Award.
“The essence of shared governance allows people to work in partnership with one another and it allows staff and administrators to work collaboratively. Because there is a shared accountability and ownership in the quality of care we deliver, theoretically, patient outcomes will be enhanced,” said Dubree. “Shelley brings with her previous experience implementing a shared governance model in a community hospital setting, and her expertise is key to creating this environment at Vanderbilt,” added Dubree.
Moore said her role implementing shared governance will hopefully create a cycle of positive outcomes. “When the caregivers participate in point-of-service decisions they are then able to provide the best quality of care to the patients, so it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”