Effect of Shared Governance Educational Program on knowledge, perceptions and Autonomy of Professional Nurses

Abstract

Background: Shared governance is a model in which staff collaborate through a decentralized decision making structure, sharing ownership and accountability and partnering to make decisions about clinical practice, professional development, patient safety and quality improvement. Aim: of this study was to investigate the effect of shared governance educational program on knowledge, perceptions and autonomy of professional nurses. Design: A quasi-experimental research was utilized. Setting: The study was carried out in five of Minia University Hospitals including the Main University Hospital; Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital; Cardio-Thoracic Hospital; Renal and Urology Hospital in addition to the Dental Hospital. Subjects: Participants of the study were a probability sample of professional nurses (no=78) drained from the total baccalaureate-prepared nurses who were working in the previously mentioned Hospitals at the study conduction period. Tools: Two tools were used; Nurses Knowledge and Perceptions of Shared Governance Questionnaire, and Professional Nursing Autonomy Scale. Results: There was a high statistically significant improvement in the level of nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of shared governance as well as in their level of perceived professional autonomy from its three perspectives at all test measures that followed implementing the educational program than what was before program implementation. Conclusion: The educational intervention carried out within the context of this study was successful at improving the knowledge, perceptions and autonomy of professional nurses. Recommendations: This study especially emphasize that continuing education is a consolidated way to ensure the implementation of shared governance and promotes professional nursing autonomy.