Due to the complexity of systems and the interdependence of health care team members, effective teamwork is essential to the delivery of nursing care. This chapter discusses the factors that are essential for a successful nursing team including: team composition, roles, dynamics, stages, and team leading skills.

Teams are generally formed with individuals who have complementary skills and are dedicated to a common purpose. The team needs contributions from all members to succeed. Interdisciplinary teams engage members with a different clinical expertise. Committees, on the other hand, are work groups designed with a specific task or goal to accomplish.

Generally teams go through a process of developmental phases. One theorist describes this process to include the following stages:
1. Forming - critical sub-phases are encountered (expectation, interaction, and boundary formation phase)
2. Storming - depicted by an increased participant comfort level which allows members to find a position with in the group sometimes causing conflict and confrontation
3. Norming - where a general understanding of the issues are developed with expectation and goal setting leading to group cohesion
4. Maturity - where achievement towards the goal is realized after relationships develop and work begins
5. Adjournment - where closure to the group process occurs while the outcomes and goals have been evaluated.

Team members take on different roles, some without necessarily being clearly defined. Functional and dysfunctional team members’ behaviors impact upon the group’s ability to achieve its goals. Strategies are suggested to deal with difficult personalities within the group setting.

Teams need to be built using planning and preparation techniques and forward thinking. Successful teams have a clear purpose with defined goals and objectives. Member assessment is essential to ensure that there is an understanding of individual strengths and weaknesses. Communication linkages need to be in place, and all members need to actively participate. Once a plan has been developed, it should be revisited at designated times to monitor progress, as assessments and evaluations are continuous.

It is essential that the environment be conducive to team building. Organizational or departmental culture, attitudes, and policies, impact upon the teams’ outcomes. A team evaluation checklist is offered to determine if the environment is healthy and receptive.

Teamwork can take on many forms within nursing, especially on patient care units. Effective team leading, decision making, and problem solving skills assist nurses with managing meetings so that outcomes can be achieved.