Evolving from an idea at an all-day conference last spring, the Nurse-in-Charge (NIC) Council was established at BWH to assess issues that both enhance and inhibit the delivery of nursing care to patients.
Together, the Council members identify common issues affecting patients across the continuum of care provided at BWH. In addition, the members evaluate the NIC role at BWH—discussing ways to improve efforts to attract qualified nurses to become NICs and ways to succeed at NIC retention.
The Council is comprised of NICS from each service line and all three shifts who have committed to monthly meetings with with Marylou Moore, nurse manager, 12ABCD, Miriam Trainer, nurse manager, CWN 9 and Judy Hayes, director of Professional Practice, Quality and Staff Development for Nursing.
“Although our patients vary from newborns to elderly patients, our work is similar,” said Maureen Cunniffe, RN, (pictured above at a recent NIC Council meeting) NIC on CWN 9, who chairs the Council. “NIC’s responsibilities are often parallel and NIC Council bridges our efforts and enhances communication.”
In addition to discussing processes and conflicts, the Council is a forum to share ideas that impact patient care and customer satisfaction.
“What works well on one unit may also benefit patient satisfaction on another,” adds Cunniffe. “There is no sense in reinventing the wheel.”
On occasion, guest speakers from other departments come to the Council meetings to hear the NIC’s concerns and participate in problem solving with the Council members. In turn, the Council reports back to all NICs at larger meetings three times per year.
“Although the NIC council is relatively new, we envision a long standing presence” said Cunniffe.
—submitted by Maureen Cunniffe, RN