Shared Governance at St. Joseph’s/Candler
Empowering nurses. Enhancing care.
At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we believe that the voice of every nurse matters. That’s why we practice shared governance, a collaborative decision-making model grounded in the principles of partnership, equity, accountability and ownership at the point of service.
Shared governance allows nurses to influence and make decisions about aspects of their everyday work. It supports autonomy and promotes a culture of mutual respect and empowerment. This structure is also aligned with Magnet standards, reflecting our commitment to excellence in nursing practice.
Shared governance and why it matters
In our health system, shared governance takes shape through a network of councils and committees. These structures allow nurses to bring forward ideas, share concerns and actively participate in shaping clinical practices, work environments and patient care strategies. Each council has a specific focus, and together they create a unified platform for nurse-led collaboration and leadership at every level of care delivery.
Research has shown that shared governance positively impacts both patients and providers. Key benefits include:
- Longevity of employment reflects a stable workforce where experienced staff contribute to consistent, high-quality care.
- Increased employee satisfaction, leading to stronger team morale, reduced turnover, and a more positive work environment.
- Enhanced safety and quality of healthcare delivery, ensuring that patients receive reliable, evidence-based care in a setting committed to continuous improvement.
- Greater patient satisfaction, as individuals and families feel heard, respected, and well-cared-for throughout their healthcare experience.
- Shorter lengths of stay for patients indicate more efficient care delivery and better health outcomes that allow patients to return home sooner.
At St. Joseph’s/Candler, these outcomes are not just goals—they are results we see every day thanks to the dedication of our shared governance teams.
Explore our shared governance councils
While our shared governance model continues to evolve, here is an overview of some of the core councils driving nurse-led innovation and accountability.
The Strategic Nursing Leadership Council provides oversight and strategic support for the activities of all nursing governance councils. Membership includes chairs of nursing governance councils, unit council chairs, nursing directors, the Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer and advanced practice nurses.
This council ensures alignment with organizational goals and helps drive forward the vision of shared leadership across the health system.
The Professional Nursing Council (PNC) serves as a forum where professional nurses can convene, share insights and make recommendations to nursing leadership. Topics include recruitment and retention of both new graduates and experienced staff, clinical practice concerns and improvements in patient care delivery.
Membership includes one RN from each inpatient/outpatient care area and the Director of Professional Practice. Members are appointed by unit managers and typically serve no more than three years.
The Nursing Quality Practice Council focuses on monitoring clinical outcomes and overseeing the function of nursing quality initiatives. Their collective work drives data-informed improvements in care delivery.
Membership includes:
- Chairs or representatives from quality-focused committees (e.g., pain committee, patient satisfaction, peer review teams, falls prevention)
- Nurses in advanced practice or clinical support roles
- Nursing directors and one nurse manager from each clinical division
- A staff nurse representative from each patient care unit
The Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council is tasked with promoting a culture of inquiry and evidence-based practice. It identifies research questions rooted in clinical practice and performance data and explores solutions to improve care. This council ensures our clinical approaches are grounded in the latest research and best practices. Membership includes:
- An Advanced Practice RN (Chair)
- Clinical Quality APRNs and Clinical Educators
- One nurse manager
- Director of Professional Practice/Nursing Specialty Services
- One staff RN from each nursing division on each campus
- An RN member of the SJ/C Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Faculty representative from undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at Armstrong
The Patient Care Services VAI Products Committee evaluates products, equipment, and clinical practices to ensure optimal outcomes in patient care.
Membership includes all clinical support and educator staff, one staff nurse representative from each unit and a designated chairperson. Their recommendations influence procurement and help maintain a high standard of care tools and technologies.
The Event-Related Nursing Peer Review Council provides a formal process to review and evaluate nurse performance concerning professional standards and ensures a fair, structured peer review process. Membership includes:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (Chair)
- Staff nurse representatives from areas including critical care, emergency services, maternal/child, surgical services, rehabilitation and medical-surgical nursing
- Representatives from risk management and the Director of Professional Practice
Ad hoc members may be appointed based on the specialty area of the case being reviewed. Voting rights are reserved for staff nurse members; chairs and administrative roles serve in an oversight capacity without voting power. Appointments are made by the CNO/VP of Patient Care Services based on clinical skill, impartiality and experience.
The Unit Governance Council functions at the unit level and is designed for direct discussion of practice concerns, patient care needs, and unit performance excellence. Membership includes all staff nurses or a representative sample and representatives from ancillary staff within the unit.
Each unit council has a representative who attends monthly report-outs and channels feedback and questions to broader councils such as PNC, Nursing Quality or Research and Evidence-Based Practice.