The Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Excellence is never an accident.” At Texas Health Resources, the Journey to Clinical Excellence Council makes sure of that.
“The council is dedicated to supporting a positive practice environment and a culture of excellence,” said Sheree Henson, Ph.D., R.N., NPD-BC, NEA-BC, system director Nursing Professional Practice, Research, & Magnet. “Through their work, the council promotes high reliability, quality patient care and innovation.”
The council’s responsibilities include everything from organizing recognition programs, such as Nurses Week and the Clinical Excellence Awards, to promoting nurse satisfaction, specialty certification and professional development. Led by chair Kimberly Williams, M.S.N., RNC-MNN, Clinical Excellence program manager, almost 30 representatives from throughout Texas Health collaborate on best practices that promote high reliability and quality patient care.
“I really appreciate the networking and hearing how others support clinical excellence,” said Tricia McCaslin, M.S.N., R.N., director of Nursing Clinical Programs, Texas Health Frisco. McCaslin is vice chair of the council. “I’ve been able to bring back and effectively implement ideas at my entity that I learned through the council.”
A key goal of the council is to support a positive practice environment with a goal for all Texas Health wholly owned hospitals to achieve and maintain Magnet® and/or Pathway to Excellence® designations.
“We intentionally advance the foundations for excellence that makes Magnet® and Pathways to Excellence® recognitions possible,” Henson said.
Henson, who has been on the council since its creation six years ago and is now the council’s executive champion, has seen the council’s impact grow year after year.
“We’re constantly asking, ‘How can we do it better?’” she said.
For example, the council recognized the need for a better structure to make sure nurses had a voice in decision-making. They restructured and launched shared decision-making councils at all hospitals in early 2020. Henson is also proud to point out that the council spearheaded implementation three years ago of the Success Pay program, which covers the cost of specialty certification exam fees. Since the program was implemented, nursing specialty certification has increased from 29% to 41%.
The council works closely with the Nurse Executive Team, Nursing Operations Council and Nursing Congress to advance its work.
“A lot of what we do is connecting the dots for and building bridges with different nursing teams,” Henson said.
By Laura Johnson • Posted March 25, 2021
