Jennifer Bonamer is a nursing professional development research specialist and shared governance program lead at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, known for her landmark research linking shared governance to nursing and patient outcomes.

Current Role and Research

Jen Bonamer serves as the Nursing Professional Development — Research Specialist at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, a Magnet-accredited hospital, in Sarasota, Florida. In this position, she coordinates nursing research and evidence-based practice initiatives for the organization. Since 2010, Jen has led the shared governance program, which has included significant program redesigns. Notably, she published a landmark pilot study attempting to document a relationship between shared governance, using the Index of Professional Nursing Governance, and nursing and patient outcomes. She is currently adapting this work into a multisite research study. Throughout her career, Jen has been passionate about professional nursing practice, working to empower nurses with shared vision and values to transform nursing practice and healthcare.

Education and Credentials

Jen received her Bachelors of Science from University of Florida, Gainesville, after which she practiced as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse. She then attended a BS to PhD program at the University of South Florida, Tampa, where she earned her MS with a focus in nursing education and her PhD in nursing. In addition to her research role, Jen serves as a national Magnet appraiser, adjunct faculty with State College of Florida, and courtesy faculty with Florida State University and University of South Florida. Her professional memberships include the American Nurses Association; the Florida Nurses Association, including the Research SIG; the Association of Nursing Professional Development; and the American Holistic Nurses Association. Jen holds certifications as an advanced holistic nurse (AHN-BC) and nursing professional development specialist.