Structural Empowerment

Nurses are valued professionals at Henry Ford Hospital (HFH). Through our comprehensive shared governance model, our nurses are empowered to participate in decision-making structures and processes to establish practice standards and opportunities for improvement.

The HFH culture provides staff numerous opportunities to grow professionally. In addition, our organization supports and encourages participation in community service and professional organizations.  

Walk of honor

Honoring the life of a hero

Firefighters, policeman and other first responders risk their lives everyday as they do their job to protect and save others. These workers are heroes to the communities in which they serve.

When a Detroit firefighter had a tragic incident in the line of duty, he was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) and admitted to the 6W Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit. “When he arrived on our unit, he was sadly declared brain dead,” explained 6W Nurse Manager Matthew Jean, BSN, RN.

The unit was quickly filled with Detroit firefighters and family members who bonded together with the nursing team during this difficult time. “The family came to us about organ donation and an honor walk,” said Jean.

Nurse Kathryn Borg, RN came from a family of firefighters and felt personally connected to the tragic situation happening before her eyes. “I really wanted to be there throughout the process and support the family and other firefighters,” said Borg.

Borg and her fellow nurses worked with Gift of Life Michigan to coordinate the honor walk from the patient’s room down to the operating room as he was prepped for organ donation. Employees from all over the hospital, family and firefighters lined the halls as Borg and Jean wheeled the patient with his wife and children following.

“Experiences like this make you look at life differently,” said Borg. “The walk was an extremely emotional, heartwarming and uplifting event to be a part of. The bond I made with the family was special and something I will always remember.”

Click here to view a video of this event.

Being a part of change

Nursing Peer Review Committee

In 2018, Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) launched a Nursing Peer Review Committee (NPR). The committee’s goal is to ensure optimal patient care is delivered by reviewing nursing care against current professional standards and evidence-based practices. NPR is made up of 12 clinical nurses from all practice areas who review patient cases to identify system and care process improvements.

“The committee is not intended to penalize or criticize other nurses, but instead the goal and intention is to permit nurses to grow professionally through collaboration and shared insights, and an opportunity to improve and learn from an incident-related event,” said Emergency Room Nurse Ron Franco, MSN, BSN, RN.

Nurses involved have loved the opportunity to learn while helping their fellow nurses learn. The process is meant to identify possible deficiencies to avoid future error and should be viewed as a positive and constructive resource.

“Being involved in NPR is the most rewarding committee I’ve participated in,” said NICU Nurse Kathy Berger, BSN, RN. “Our committee is a collaborative group of experienced nurses working towards improving overall patient safety and outcomes.”

Cases are referred to the committee for review and are assigned to the appropriate committee member based on their clinical area and expertise. The member reviews the case using the patients electronic medical record as well as input from the clinical nurse that cared for the patient. The case is presented, discussed, and recommendations are made by the NPR committee members. Nursing practice and process opportunities are shared monthly at Combined Education and Practice Councils.

Becoming an expert

Nursing certifications

After becoming a licensed registered nurse, there is a world of opportunity for professional development. Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) strongly encourages all nurses to get a specialty certification for the opportunity to advance their career and to continue with life long learning.

Internal Medicine Nurse Manager Amber Morandini, BSN, RN, NE-BC was among the first at HFH to get her Nurse Executive Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). “I decided to take the certification class and exam for the extra learning,” said Morandini. “Certifications are great to show your expertise in your area of practice.”

Since becoming certified, Morandini has had several doors open for her. The ANCC selected her and nine others to work on the certification exams to help future nurses with their certification process.

Morandini has been a strong cheerleader for her team of nurses. She coaches each nurse on professional developement by helping them understand how certifications can help their nursing career. Morandini uses mid-year and annual reviews to let her team know when they’re eligible for certification and which ones can be most beneficial. 

“There are now five nurses certified on my unit,” said Morandini. “Considering the size of our team, it’s a great start that I am proud of. I encourage those who are certified to talk to peers about their experience and how being certified has helped their careers.”

Since Morandini became certified, 18 other nursing leaders at HFH have also gained a nurse executive certification. The Nursing department has also had a steady increase in overall certifications with 85 new certifications in 2018-2019.

Next Section: Exemplary Professional Practice >>