The NCH Nurse Practice Council empowers clinical nurses to implement and maintain standards of nursing practice and patient care consistent with evidence-based practice and requirements of regulatory agencies.
Meet the NCH Nurse Practice Council
Nurse Practice Council
2022 Accomplishments
- Charge Nurse Huddles
Over 2022 the Nurse practice council worked on establishing charge nurse huddles in the morning. This has helped better communicate what the day looks like between units each morning whether it be staffing concerns, high census, or interdepartmental patient transfers. This has helped better prepare and care for patients throughout the organization.
- Mentorship Program
The nurse practice council has also restarted the Mentorship program. This matches energetic experienced nurses with leadership qualities who have a passion for nursing with a newer less experienced nurse. The pairing has started with nurse residents. As the program grows nurse mentors will be matched with nurses who are new to NCH and eventually be open to nurses who are new to a specialty within the organization.
Goals for 2023
- Nursing Code of Conduct
In 2023 just one of the Nurse Practice Council’s many projects will be working to create a Nursing Code of Conduct for all nurses within the organization.
Check back often to see what projects the Nurse Practice Council is working on this year
NCH Nursing Practice Council Mission:
The Nursing Practice Council empowers clinical nurses to implement and maintain standards of nursing practice and patient care consistent with evidence-based practice and requirements of regulatory agencies.
The NPC is comprised of nurse representatives from all areas where nursing care is practiced, including inpatient units, ambulatory settings, and family clinics. There are members from across the campus in a variety of roles. Most members are self-nominated because of their interest in helping Nurses through North Country Hospital.
The purpose of the Nursing Practice Council is to:
- Empower and inspire nurses to establish parameters of nursing practice.
- Encourage and inspire nurses as a collaborative body
- Implement improvements to ensure high nursing standards
- Deliver quality care
- Review and revise policies, procedures and standards of care.
- Incorporate evidence-based research findings into clinical practice.
- Consult on interdepartmental issues that impact patient care.
- Support peer review and quality improvement.
- Provide a forum to exchange ideas, news and find solutions to workplace challenges.
- Recognize achievements in nursing practice.
Member Responsibility:
Members will be responsible for attending meetings and reporting activities and disseminating minutes/ information to their respective unit. If a member misses a meeting, it is the responsibility of the Council member to obtain information from the missed meeting and disseminate this to the department they represent.
Have Questions? Feel free to contact NPC people listed below:
Katrina Bennett/Co-chair – kbennett@nchsi.org
Rebecca Clarke/Co-chair – rclarke@nchsi.org
Denise Carter/Interim VP – dcarter@nchsi.org
Kathy LaFratta/Executive Assistant – klafratta@nchsi.org