🛣️ UBC Roadmap: Developing a Unit-Based Council (UBC) for PTE Success
🔹 Month 1: Laying the Groundwork
Goal: Generate awareness and secure basic structural support.
Meet with Nurse Leader & Educator
Confirm support for a UBC; clarify expectations and available support (meeting time, supplies, tech).
Educate the Team
Hold a brief education session on shared governance and how a UBC supports the PTE journey.
Emphasize nurse voice, empowerment, and improving practice together.
Recruit Initial Members
Call for volunteers or nominations for chair, co-chair, and core members.
Use diverse roles: day/night staff, new grads, experienced nurses.
🔹 Month 2: Define & Design
Goal: Establish council structure, purpose, and operating norms.
Create a Unit UBC Charter
Define mission, membership, meeting frequency, roles/responsibilities.
Keep it simple, practical, and nurse-driven.
Design Communication Systems
Create a UBC Teams Channel or SharePoint folder.
Post meeting minutes, project updates, suggestion box link.
Schedule Regular Meetings
Set standing monthly meetings during shift overlap or protected time.
🔹 Month 3–4: Activate the Council
Goal: Start council operations and take on initial improvement work.
First Meetings: Choose 1–2 Priority Projects
Use a brief staff poll or brainstorm to identify shared practice concerns.
Select a feasible project aligned with Pathway (e.g., improving shift handoff, recognition board, hydration cart).
Train Members (with Organizational Help)
Request a short workshop or toolkit from the education department or shared governance liaison.
Teach basic facilitation, data tracking, and storytelling.
Communicate Out
Share decisions and updates during huddles and on the bulletin board/Teams channel.
🔹 Month 5–6: Strengthen & Align
Goal: Improve council function and intentionally align with PTE standards.
Document Stories of Impact
Capture how nurse input led to change.
Use photos, before/after examples, or nurse quotes.
Link to PTE Standards
Review the six standards and identify which ones are being addressed through council work.
Celebrate connections: "This is Pathway in action!"
Peer Learning
Visit or meet virtually with another unit's UBC to share ideas and challenges.
🔹 Month 7: Sustain & Evaluate
Goal: Ensure continuity and reflect on effectiveness.
Conduct a Brief Staff Feedback Survey
Ask staff if they feel heard, informed, and involved via the UBC.
Recognize Council Contributions
Nominate council members for internal awards or share successes in unit newsletters.
Refine Structures
Adjust membership rotation, meeting flow, or project selection based on lessons learned.
🔹 Month 8: Celebrate & Share
Goal: Reinforce value and embed the council into unit culture.
Host a Unit Celebration
Recognize team contributions and outcomes.
Invite nursing leaders to hear impact stories from the council.
Prepare for Pathway Documentation
Submit 1–2 stories to the organizational Pathway team or steering committee.
Offer to present at a shared governance forum or nursing grand rounds.