Partnership Council Field Book: Strategies and Tools for Co-Creating a Healthy Work Place

The Wisdom From The Field Series:
Every person, at one time or another, will need the services of health care. That alone speaks to the importance of this series. The quality of our health care system will impact the quality of life for every member of our society. The health care system is experiencing major transformation. This four book series uncovers the work necessary to create the best place to receive health care and the best place for those who provide the care to work. The content reflects the lessons learned from thousands of people across the continent committed to co-create such a system. The four fundamental characteristics necessary to create the best place will be progressively explored throughout the series. No one will be untouched by the wisdom shared from those who give and receive care who are actively doing this work.

Partnership Council Field Book is the fourth in the series. This field book captures the fundamental, day to day work necessary to create an infrastructure essential to support healthy relationships. Partnerships are the heartbeat of the best place to receive health care and the best place for those who provide the care to work. The 300 pages are filled with lessons learned from the effort to transition the familiar bureaucratic, hierarchical culture to one of partnership. The wisdom from the field is not a reiteration of theory, but clinical approaches and outcomes that have emerged in multiple clinical settings across the continent doing the work. The patterns, successes and failure experienced over the 14 year effort give insight, direction, support and hope for those desiring and working on a healthy, healing health care system.

These four authors have come together with great passion to facilitate the emergence of this book. Each author brings a unique strength and collectively they focus on living partnership with one another and with many across the continent. They have all worked closely with Partnership Councils and have been members of them. In the spirit of continuous learning they offer this book of wisdom gained with the hope of generating even more partnerships and learning. They have been connected through the Clinical Practice Model Resource Center (CPMRC) whose mission centers on generating partnerships to build healthy work places and supporting those who are providing healing health care services.

Laurie Shiparski, RN, MS, Professional Practice Consultant works with many people through the CPMRC who are seeking to bring partnership concepts into their work lives. She has lived the success and challenges of Partnership Councils in her roles as a staff nurse and Unit Director of Critical Care units and Endoscopy. Through her workshops, books, and personal example she continues to help herself and others grow in partnership.

Michelle Troseth, RN, MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Professional Practice at Butterworth Hospital has been a leader and partner in her roles as staff nurse, educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She coordinates the ongoing development of the Clinical Practice Model (CPM) within a growing health system. A major part of her role is providing valuable resourcing and consulting regarding implementing and sustaining Partnership Councils.

Bonnie Wesorick, RN, MSN, Founder of the CPM and CPMRC is a visionary leader. She has worked with Partnership Councils as educator and practice resource. She travels the continent inspiring thousands to change their work settings to places of partnership and caring. Bonnie has authored many books and articles, videos and audiotapes in hopes of connecting with others on the journey of partnership.

Kathy Wyngarden, RN, MSN, Director of Professional Practice for Butterworth Health System has focused her passion for health and relationships on the evolution of the CPM, interdisciplinary practice/Partnership Councils, and systems thinking linkages. She began this journey as one of the first CPM "Pilot Hospital" coordinators. She serves as a resource to CPM Consortium settings across the continent.