Principles & Elements of a Healthful Work Environment

Nursing Organizations Alliance

Background: Principles & Elements of a Healthful Practice/Work Environment:

At the 2003 Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA) meeting. 12 Presidents from NOA volunteered to work on a task force to produce a document to assist with communication and help nurses work in their environment. The "Nine Principles of a Healthful Work Environment" was the result.

Weekly teleconference calls were begun to determine the purpose of the document and how it could be used by everyone. After a number of months the teleconference calls decreased to twice monthly. With numerous additions, deletions, and revisions "The Principles of a Healthful Practice/Work Environment" was completed after a year.

The Principles were presented at the 2004 NOA meeting. Each organization has been given the opportunity to endorse the document to use, as best fits, into the work of individual member organizations of the NOA. This document has been endorsed by AASCIN as well as many other organizations: Association of Peri-Operative Nurses (ORN); National League for Nursing (NLN); American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA); Association of Women's Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), and American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN).

It was exciting to serve on this task force and I am very proud to have been one of the volunteers who served on this committee.

Billie Anne Massie, BS, RN, C
Past President of AASCIN

PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS OF A HEALTHFUL PRACTICE/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Nursing Organizations Alliance believes that a healthful practice/work environment is supported by the presence of the following elements:

1. Collaborative Practice Culture
   Respectful collegial communication & behavior
   Team orientation
   Presence of trust
   Respect for diversity
2. Communication Rich Culture
   Clear and respectful
   Open & trusting
3. A Culture of Accountability
   Role expectations are clearly defined
   Everyone is accountable
4. The Presence of Adequate Numbers of Qualified Nurses
   Ability to provide quality care to meet client/patient's needs
   Work/home life balance
5. The Presence of Expert, Competent, Credible, Visible Leadership
   Serve as an advocate for nursing practice
   Support shared decision-making
   Allocate resources to support nursing
6. Shared Decision-Making at All Levels
   Nurses participate in system, organizational, and process decisions
   Formal structure exists to support shared decision-makingv Nurses have control over their practice
7. The Encouragement of Professional Practice & Continued Growth/Development
   Continuing education/certification is supported/encouraged
   Participation in professional association encouraged
   An information rich environment is supported
8. Recognition of the Value of Nursing?s Contribution
   Reward and pay for performance
   Career mobility and expansion
9. Recognition by Nurses for Their Meaningful Contribution to Practice

For More information, please contact NOA at:
Nursing Organizations Alliance
c/o AMR Management Services
201 East Main Street
Suite 1405
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone (859) 514-9188
www.nursing-alliance.org