From shared to professional governance

Editor's Note

The concept of shared governance has evolved to professional governance with the attributes of accountability, professional obligation, collateral relationships, and effective decision-making, this study finds.

For 40 years, shared governance served as a nonhierarchical structural framework to create an environment that supports professional nursing practice and interdependence with management.

The time has come, however, for nurse leaders to transition from shared to professional governance as a framework for structural empowerment.

The complexity of the current healthcare system demands the full contribution and commitment of nurses as engaged members of the team, the authors say.

Clavelle, Joanne T. DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE; Porter O'Grady, Tim DM, EdD, APRN, NEA-BC, FAAN; Weston, Marla J. PhD, RN, FAAN; Verran, Joyce A. PhD, RN, FAAN For over 40 years, shared governance (SG) has served as a nonhierarchical structural framework within healthcare organizations to create an environment that supports professional nursing practice and interdependence with management.