The concept of shared governance in nursing has been used over the past 20 years as a mechanism for healthcare organizations to empower nurses to participate in decision-making within an organization, particularly in regard to making decisions that affect nursing practice.

Shared Governance is an innovative organizational framework which affords nurses professional autonomy. It empowers the professional nursing staff and managers to contribute collectively to the decision-making process related to patient care, nursing practice and the work environment.

Nursing leadership at Pattie A. Clay is committed to the shared governance model, with mechanisms for nurses to have the authority to participate in decision-making affecting their practice. A major mechanism for shared governance for nursing at Pattie A. Clay is

The Clinical Practice Committee (CPC). The CPC is a new concept at PACRMC and is comprised of nurses from all clinical areas who participate in determining goals, priorities, and decisions effecting nursing practice.