ANA and AONE Release Joint Principles of Collaboration
Communication and collaboration are critical elements of success for effective work environments, particularly in health care. When these elements break down, the result can be a cascade of negative events. Yet when collaboration is strong, it reaps positive benefits on the workplace culture and patient outcomes.
In order to boost collaboration where it is needed most, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) have jointly released a new document, Principles of Collaborative Relationships Between Clinical Nurses and Nurse Managers. The document is a key resource for all nurses who seek to prioritize and sustain better collaboration in their work settings.
“These principles have the potential to sustain dynamic relationships between nurses, and enhance the value and contribution of both nurse managers and clinical nurses to patient care,” said ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN. “Our goal in this work is to create work environments where nurses thrive, and even more important, patient care is the best it can be.”
ANA and AONE developed the Principles through a real-world example of an effective collaborative relationship. The two organizations each selected three nurse managers and three clinical nurses to ensure a balanced perspective from each side. The group worked together to determine the principles of effective working relationships and then developed guidelines for each.
“With the ever-evolving nature of health care delivery, there is a strong need for increased synergies between clinical nurses and nurses in more formal leadership positions,” said AONE President Laura Caramanica, RN, PhD, CENP, FACHE. “These newly outlined principles provide a framework to positively impact collaboration.”
The Principles are divided into three main themes – Effective Communication, Authentic Relationships, and Learning Environment and Culture. Within these themes, the Principles outline key concepts such as “Foster an open, safe environment,” “Empower others to have ideas,” and “Inspire innovation and creative thinking.”
Research in many industries and environments demonstrates the imperative of positive working relationships in achieving goals. Nurses have an increased need for positive relationships, based on the criticality of their work and the emotional and physical nature of nursing practice. The Principles should serve as a guide for enhancing good collaboration where it occurs and improving situations where it is sub-optimal. The document is available at www.nursingworld.org/PrinciplesofCollaborativeRelationships
About the American Nurses Association
The ANA is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation’s 3.1 million registered nurses through its constituent and state nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
About the American Organization of Nurse Executives
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is the national professional organization for nurses who design, facilitate and manage care. With more than 8,500 members, AONE is the leading voice of nursing leadership in health care. Since 1967, the organization has provided leadership, professional development, advocacy and research to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence and shape public policy for health care. AONE is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association (AHA). For additional information, visit www.aone.org.