Agnes Barden, RN, DNP. Shared Governance and Empowerment in Registered Nurses Working in a Hospital Setting. Doctoral thesis (2009), Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Case Western University; Cleveland, OH.
Abstract
Empowerment of registered nurses through professional practice models inclusive of shared governance has been proposed to be essential to improve quality patient care, contain costs, and retain nursing staff. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine the relationship between perceptions of governance and empowerment among nurses working in an acute hospital setting. Kanter’s structural theory of empowerment was the conceptual framework for the study conducted in a large tertiary care hospital located in Queens, New York. ,
The purposive sample included 348 nurses working in the study site facility in 13 units that had a shared governance model in place for at least six months to one year. The total number of nurses that participated was 158. The participants completed two surveys: the Index of Professional Nursing Governance and the Conditions of Work Effectiveness II Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics revealed that nurses were in an early implementation phase of shared governance and the nurses perceived themselves to be moderately empowered. There was a significant relationship (r = 0.34, p < 0.0001) between perceptions of shared governance and empowerment. This indicated that as shared governance progressed, so did empowerment. Recommendations for professional practice and future research are included.
Questions? Contact the author, Agnes Bardon.