Spring Nursing Summit Brings Together Unit Based Councils and Nursing Shared Governance Committees

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Department of Nursing recently gathered representatives from each of the Unit Based Councils and Nursing Shared Governance Committees for their annual spring summit meeting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s spring summit was canceled, and the fall summit was held virtually. But, with strict adherence to Mass General Brigham’s Facility Density and In Person Gatherings policy, the group was finally able to meet in person this spring to share best practices and new ideas.

The event, held in Huvos Auditorium, began with a welcome from Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services Cori Loescher, MM, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, and Executive Director of Nursing Professional Development, Practice and Innovation Colleen West, DNP, MBA, RN, CPHQ.

One of the many highlights of the day was a keynote presentation titled “Promoting Excellence in Nursing Practice Through Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement” given by ​​​Helene Bowen-Brady, DNP, MEd, RN-BC, NEA-BC, and Kathleen Ahern Gould, PhD, RN. In it, Gould shared how her desire to make change to improve patient care shaped her roles as a critical care nurse, nurse educator and nurse scientist. West says, “Her personal narrative was inspiring. When attendees answered the question of what impact the experience will have on professional development, many included improvements in the ability to use Evidence-Based Practice and the desire to find research opportunities.”

After lunch, Loescher reviewed the department’s strategic goals. “The summit affords me as the CNO a direct conversation with clinical nurses about the Department of Nursing’s goals. I am able to hear from them about accomplishments and barriers that get in the way to meeting these goals. They are on the front line and are our experts on patient care, so getting their input is crucial,” she says.

The day concluded with updates from each Unit Based Council and Nursing Shared Governance Committee on their individual projects and committee work. One participant remarked, “It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm each unit has for their projects. It gives me energy to go back to my unit and share with my colleagues the work being done.”

Despite the on-going challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity to reflect on the past year, celebrate accomplishments and look to the future was a rejuvenating experience for attendees. “I think everyone would agree it was an incredible day,” says West. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be together.”

Photo: 7 North Clinical Leader Jacqueline Dejean, BSN, RN, shares an update on her unit’s clinical question in a presentation titled “External Female Catheter and Care Team Connect”