Diana Swihart is one of the world’s leading authorities on shared governance, co-authoring multiple editions of Shared Governance: A Practical Approach to Transforming Interprofessional Healthcare with Dr. Robert Hess.

Professional Roles

Diana enjoys many roles in her professional career, practicing in widely diverse clinical and nonclinical settings. Currently, she serves as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist and Clinical Lead for National Specialty Projects at the VHA National Center for Patient Safety. As an author, speaker, researcher, educator, mentor, and consultant, she holds graduate degrees in nursing and leadership and doctorates in theology, ministry, and ancient Near Eastern studies (archaeology). Throughout her career, Diana has facilitated the application of evidence-based practice and nursing research. She has also provided operational leadership and education for the shared governance processes for multiple organizations, nationally and internationally. As one of two of the world’s leading authorities on shared governance and its research, she currently partners with Robert Hess, providing in-depth consultations for design and redesign of shared governance through the Forum for Shared Governance.

Professional Memberships and Service

Diana has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the National Organization of VA Nurses, the Veterans Educators Integrated Network, and the VHA DoD Facility Based Educators Community of Practice. In addition, she has served on several professional and editorial advisory boards, such as Journal of Nursing Regulation. She has also completed multiple terms as an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet appraiser, served as treasurer for the National Nursing Staff Development Organization (now the Association for Nursing Professional Development), and as a commissioner on ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation.

Consulting and Publications

Diana is the CEO and Managing Partner for the American Academy for Preceptor Advancement. She has published and spoken locally, nationally, and internationally on a number of topics related to competency-based certifications by portfolio for preceptor specialty practice, effective preceptorships, building effective preceptorships, shared governance, competency assessment, professional development (i.e., Nursing Professional Development Review course), servant and transformational leadership, Magnet Recognition Program, and research and evidence-based practice at points of service. Notably, Diana has authored multiple books on shared governance since 2006 and co-authored Shared Governance: A Practical Approach to Transforming Interprofessional Healthcare, (3^rd ed., 2014; 4th ed., 2019) with Dr. Robert Hess.

Recognition and Impact

In 2008, Diana’s publication, Nurse Preceptor Program Builder: Tools for a Successful Preceptor Program (2nd ed.), was selected as a foundational resource for the national VHA RN Residency Program. Then, in 2015, she was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing as a Fellow (FAAN) for her work in advancing preceptor specialty practice and preceptor certification. Her training and experiences, including those in academia and clinical staff development, give her a broad and balanced perspective that influences and colors all she does. With this foundation, she creatively challenges and encourages others to embrace change, shift paradigms, and throw away the box.

Diana Swihart Interview from Robert G Hess Jr on Vimeo.