Accountability for practice rests with each clinician. Patients have a right to a competent nurse. Collegiality and collaboration are essential ingredients to an appropriate process and outcome. Quality equals effectiveness and efficiency. Staff has a shared role with management in issues of budget, staffing, and working conditions.
Clinical staff is represented at the executive level of the department of nursing.
The role of the nurse is central to the system's mission of patient care. Bylaws were adopted by vote of the RN staff and the first members were elected in Spring 1994. While not all staff are involved in the actual governance structures, everyone is accountable for supporting decisions made by the Councils. Input and involvement in councils at any level is highly recommended as a means of involvement in professional decision-making about nursing's important role in patient care. Standards Based Practice Standards are written statements defining acceptable levels of practice in the staff or set of conditions in the patient.