Shared Governance
The Department of Nursing uses a system that recognizes the shared accountability and responsibility of all nurses in the decision making process.
Our Nursing Shared Governance Model illustrates the components of the shared leadership structure that nurses use to communicate, address issues, make decisions and share best practices.
The Councils that compose Nursing Shared Governance are:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Council
- Nursing Practice Council
- Nursing Informatics Council
- Nursing Quality Council
- Nursing Management Council
- Nursing Research Council
- Nursing Education Council
Each of these councils have independent and interdependent functions within this model. At the center of the model is the Nursing Shared Governance Congress, which brings together representatives from every practice environment. The membership of Nursing Executive Council is the chairs of the Congress and the seven Nursing Shared Governance Councils; therefore, this council connects the entire structure.
RN Residency Program
Nemours offers a one-year RN Residency Program that provides instructor-led classes, simulation and clinical experiences with the aim of supporting new nurses to transition into fully competent Pediatric Nurses. All nurses with less than one year of professional experience are enrolled in this program. The goal of this program is to provide additional class time and peer connections that enable new nurses to build confidence and find success as Registered Nurses. This program is in addition to your unit-based orientation, having both an orientation and a Nurse Residency help ensure that you are set up for success to be able to grow in your role and provide the highest level of care to our patients. Learn more
Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship
The Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship is offered to nurses and interprofessional colleagues and includes a didactic component and a collaborative process of learning to facilitate the completion of a quality improvement, research or evidence-based practice project. Support of co-participants and mentoring by the Director of Nursing Research, Dr. Catherine Haut, are additional methods that assist an individual or a team complete a project within the timeline of 1–2 years after attending the workshop. There is an application process which includes manager endorsement for the participant and clinical nurse specialist or educator involvement to improve the opportunities for the project to change and improve patient and nursing care practices.
Nursing Advancement @ Nemours and the APRN Clinical Ladder
Nursing Advancement @ Nemours (NA@N) and the APRN Clinical Ladder are designed to recognize clinical and advanced practice registered nurses for their contributions to the Nursing and Nemours strategic initiatives. The program provides an avenue for promotion and acknowledgement of the nurses’ advanced clinical competency while at the same time keeping nursing expertise close to the patient and family.
Affiliated Schools of Nursing
Affiliated with more than 25 schools of nursing in the Delaware Valley and beyond, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and its network of primary care and specialty care practices offer clinical training for pre-licensure nursing students and registered nurses seeking advanced education through master’s and doctoral programs. Nursing students at all levels gain exposure to children with a wide variety of health conditions and receive extensive support from experienced nurse preceptors. Students also have access to additional educational content through the Nemours Medical Library and Nemours nursing continuing professional development activities.
Student Nurse Advancement Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides a structure for professional growth for BSN students who are employed within Patient Care Services and are entering their senior year of nursing education.
Mentor Program
The Nemours Nurse Mentor program was designed to facilitate the professional transition of novice nurses post-Nurse Residency and for experienced nurses who are new to pediatrics. This program focuses on continuing professional development, interprofessional communication, patient safety initiatives and socialization into the nursing department at Nemours. Mentees are introduced to their assigned mentor two weeks before the end of their orientation.
