Wilson E. (2013) evaluated shared governance for nursing excellence at three hospitals in Las Vegas using the Index of Professional Nursing Governance.

Wilson E. (2013). Evaluating shared governance for nursing excellence. Doctoral Capstone Project. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV. Evaluating Shared Governance for Nursing Excellence.

National challenges such as nursing shortages, decreased staffing levels, and increased patient acuities have contributed to heavier workloads and greater job dissatisfaction among nurses. As a result, many nurses have grown frustrated with the professional practice environment. Specifically, the inability to make decisions about issues affecting their nursing practice and patient care often drives nurses to leave in search of higher job satisfaction. In response, employers have adopted more creative strategies to improve the work environment and retain nurses. For example, healthcare leaders have implemented shared governance models that focus on providing a satisfying work environment and empowering employees in nursing practice decisions.

This descriptive study evaluated the current state of shared governance in three hospitals in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. The researcher used the Index of Professional Nursing Governance (IPNG) survey tool to obtain a baseline measurement. Additionally, a gap analysis using the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Model and the 14 Forces of Magnetism evaluated structures and processes that support the infrastructure for shared governance.

The survey results indicate that despite having shared governance structures in place, all three campuses scored below the minimum score of 173 on the overall governance scale. This score places each organization in a state of traditional governance, where management and administration primarily make decisions. Overall, opportunities exist to increase shared decision-making across all six subscales of the IPNG tool and to strengthen the infrastructure by closing gaps identified in the Magnet Framework for structural empowerment and exemplary professional practice.