At Johns Hopkins, we know the future of nursing is shaped by the nurses on the front lines of care every day. Every patient interaction, every care decision, every moment at the bedside carries the potential to improve outcomes—and it is our nurses who make that difference. That’s why we have built a robust, interconnected nursing council structure across the Johns Hopkins Health System, a professional practice model that puts nurses at the center of decision-making, innovation, and systemwide improvement.
These councils are more than committees; they are spaces where nurses from every level—front-line staff to executives—come together to lead, collaborate, and create meaningful change. Representatives from across our hospitals and care settings share insights, raise concerns, and champion initiatives that strengthen patient care, enhance safety and advance career development. Through this professional governance, nurses don’t just have a seat at the table—they have a voice in shaping how it is set.
Each council has a distinct focus that aligns with our collective mission. The Informatics Council focuses on the use of technology to streamline workflows, improve communication, and simplify documentation. The Inquiry Council fosters engagement in research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement, expanding opportunities for nursing scholarship and innovation. The Practice Council maintains high standards of care through policy oversight, workplace safety initiatives, and product evaluation. The Professional Development Council supports lifelong learning, mentorship, and leadership growth. The Quality Council drives efforts to reduce harm, focusing on infections, falls, and pressure injuries, ensuring nurses lead initiatives that make care safer for every patient. Additionally, we have specialty councils that tackle the specific concerns of perioperative, pediatric, and ambulatory care.
What makes this model so powerful is its multidirectional flow of ideas. System-level councils are mirrored at hospital and department levels, creating a network where innovations and best practices move from bedside to boardroom, and solutions are adapted to meet local needs. Our councils invite experts from all disciplines to take part in innovation and improvement efforts to support the mission of Johns Hopkins Medicine. And the impact is real: nurse-driven informatics improvements, systemwide mentorship and transition programs, quality initiatives that reduce harm, and the broader reach of nurse-led research and publication. Beyond measurable results, this work fosters ownership, pride, and a shared sense of purpose.
As we face new challenges and opportunities in health care, this council structure positions Johns Hopkins nurses to lead with clarity, confidence, and unity. Professional governance is more than a framework; it is a commitment to the collective power of our profession. When nurses lead, systems improve—and patients thrive. To every nurse who has served on a council or contributed to this work, thank you. Your voice makes Johns Hopkins stronger.
Deborah Baker, DNP, AG-ACNP, NEA-BC, FAAN, is senior vice president for nursing for the Johns Hopkins Health System.