Nursing Committee Structure
Key purpose of the committee structure
- To make recommendations and share outcomes with the Nursing Council
- To provide a transparent and effective shared process and method of communication for nursing
- To provide and create a network to inform, empower and engage all nurses working at the RCH
- To stimulate a culture of continuous improvement guided by evidence based and best practice principles
- To provide an interface between nursing, the RCH campus and external agencies
- To establish working parties to take forward projects and challenges arising from the committee structure
- To provide leadership and development opportunities to ensure nursing at RCH is able to reach its potential
Shared Governance
Shared Governance is the process by which nurses at the Royal Children's Hospital work together to reach collective decisions related to clinical practice, education, professional practice, and workforce development.
The committees
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Nursing Council: Council is central to the committee structure; it is where final decision making takes place. All nursing committees report into Council. The council may identify areas of work for the different committees, whilst the committees will also be reporting and advising council. Council will always be chaired by one of the Nursing Executive.
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Nurse Education and Life Long Learning Committee: specifically considers matters relating to the educational needs of nursing at RCH.
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Nursing Workforce Planning Committee: gives nurses the opportunity to lead the development and planning for the nursing workforce for now and the future.
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Nursing Clinical Practice Committee: identifies opportunities for improvements in everyday clinical nursing practice, with the aim to develop, innovate and evaluate.
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Nursing Professional Practice Committee : considers professional aspects of paediatric nursing practice , models of care and career pathway developments, position descriptions and scope of practice implications
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Nursing Development Working Group: oversees the implementation and evaluation of the broad Nursing agenda for change, focusing on the Essentials of Care Program
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Research in Childrens Health Education and Support (RiCHES) Committee: embrace, support and encourage nursing research activities throughout the RCH.
Key principles of representation on committees
The committees are chaired by members of Nursing Executive or a nominated committee representative. It is recommended there be a co-chair to provide opportunity to promote succession planning
Every member of the group has an equal voice -this is a 'safe' environment where people listen, show respect, ideas are shared and members are allowed to speak without interruption or judgement.
Committees are open to all nurses (see application details below). Representatives are self nominated and elected for a specified period.
Working groups will be developed in addition to the committee structure to progress projects and issues arising from committee discussion. A member of the relevant committee should be a member of the working party.
Responsibilities of Members
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Nominate and select Co-chairs, Secretary, and Sub-groups on a yearly basis.
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Attend meetings, non- clinical nurses 75% annual attendance, clinical nurses 50% of annual attendance
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Contribute to the agenda.
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Participate in critical discussions
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Report on assignments.
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Communicate work and activities back nurses in their departments.
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Identify a designate who would attend in his/her absence.
Responsibilities of the Chair/ Co-Chairs and Secretary
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Provide leadership and direction in meeting
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Set the agenda with the Secretary & Co Chairs following open invitation for all to submit items.
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Ensure follow-up from meetings is actioned.
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Oversee the process for sub-groups on diverse topics.
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Arrange educational sessions relevant to the work of the group.
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Ensure reports are communicated to the appropriate people within the appropriate time frame.
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Ensure review of Terms of Reference bi-annually.
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Prepare and distribute agenda, minutes and related documentation to group members 1 week prior to meetings.
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Obtain approval of the minutes from the previous meeting noting any changes required.
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Set the agenda with the Co-Chairs following open invitation for all to submit items.
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Secretary to send a copy of minutes and outcomes to Louise for posting on the website within one week of committee meeting.
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Secretary will ensure all relevant agenda items and documentation for discussion at Nursing Council are submitted 8 working days prior to council meetings.
Joining a nursing committee
Nurses self nominate to join a nursing committee. Vacancies on the nursing committees are publicised on the Nursing Services Website. You may also contact the relevant Nursing Committee Chair.
To submit your application you must complete a Nursing Committee Application.
Committee Meeting Times
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Nursing Council: 1st Wednesday of every second month.
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Nurse Education and Life Long Learning Committee: 3rd Wednesday monthly. Time:1-2pm
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Nursing Workforce Planning Committee: 2nd Wednesday monthly. Time: 12 -1pm
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Nursing Clinical Practice Committee: 3rd Wednesday monthly. Time: 2 - 3pm
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Nursing Professional Practice Committee: 3rd Wednesday. Time: 1.30 - 2.30pm
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Nursing Development Working Group: 3rd Thursday monthly Time: 2 - 3pm
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Research in Childrens Health Education and Support (RiCHES) Committee:
3rd Monday each month. Time: 1.30 -2.30pm