Abstract
Background: In our academic Magnet® hospital, we have six shared governance councils including an active Interprofessional Research and Innovations council (IRIC). The nursing council structure serves as the nexus between organizational planning and frontline delivery of healthcare. Like the patients we provide care for, the health of our councils need periodic checks for intended function and health. The current literature has suggested that by surveying council members, especially during times of change, we can gain insight into the strengths and areas for potential improvements as they relate to council structure, processes, and outcomes. Our organization merged in 2024 with two other hospitals, and we assumed this change could pose challenges to the work of the shared governance councils. The purpose of this study is to conduct a baseline survey measuring all our councils’ health, starting with a pilot including the IRIC.
Methods: The pilot survey was conducted during fall 2023. Based on the work of Hess (2022) and others, we collected data using the Council Health Survey. The survey consists of 25 questions utilizing a 5-point Likert Scale. Three questions measure council structure,17 items are related to processes and activities, and the final 5 questions focus on outcomes of council activity. Five demographic questions were added. After IRB approval, anonymous responses were collected using a REDCap data base.
Results: The pilot survey was sent to IRIC members (N=22). The response rate was 63.6%. Respondents included RNs (64.3%) and patient care service members or other professionals (35.7%). Compared to current literature, the IRIC performed very well in 2023. Areas that had the highest mean score (SD) were communication 4.79 (.426) and council chairs and management leadership teams that collaborate on council work 4.79 (.426). Low scoring areas included meeting attendance 3.71 (.994), dedicated time to complete council work 3.79 (1.051), and avenues for non-council member contribution 3.64 (1.082). The instrument showed excellent reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of .935.
Conclusions/Implications: The IRIC is performing well compared to data from Hess (2022) and others. The findings confirm the positive impact of changes made earlier by the IRIC including mentors for new members, online orientation materials and keeping a hybrid meeting format. The next steps include modifying the background variables and surveying the other hospital councils.
Notes
References: Al-Ruzzieh, M. A., Ayaad, O., & Hess Jr, R. G. (2022). The role of participation in and effectiveness of shared governance councils in the nurses' perception of a professional practice work environment. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 52(1), 51-56.
Hess Jr, R. G., Bonamer, J. I., Swihart, D., & Brull, S. (2020). Measuring council health to transform shared governance processes and practice. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 50(2), 104-108.
Hutchins, A., Acampora, C. , Hebb, A. & Peters, J. (2024). Nursing Management (Springhouse), 55 (9), 37-45. doi: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000163.
Walden, M., Eddy, L. A., Huett, A., Lovenstein, A., Ramick, A., Jeffs, D., & Scott-Roberson, A. (2022). Use of the Council Health Survey to Assess Shared Governance in a Pediatric Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nurse Leader, 20(3), 306-315.
Weaver, S. H., Hess, R. G., Williams, B., Guinta, L., & Paliwal, M. (2018). Measuring shared governance: one healthcare system's experience. Nursing management, 49(10), 11-14.
Williams, M., & Christopher, R. (2023). Moving shared governance to the next level: assessing council health and training council chairs. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 53(1), 6-11.
Sigma Membership
Kappa Zeta at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Pilot/Exploratory Study
Keywords:
Interprofessional Initiatives, Interprofessional, Interdisciplinary, Shared Governance
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Justin; Smith, David; and Hyrkas, Kristiina, "Take the Vitals of Council Health! Re-Empowering Shared Governance" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 44.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/44
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Take the Vitals of Council Health! Re-Empowering Shared Governance
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: In our academic Magnet® hospital, we have six shared governance councils including an active Interprofessional Research and Innovations council (IRIC). The nursing council structure serves as the nexus between organizational planning and frontline delivery of healthcare. Like the patients we provide care for, the health of our councils need periodic checks for intended function and health. The current literature has suggested that by surveying council members, especially during times of change, we can gain insight into the strengths and areas for potential improvements as they relate to council structure, processes, and outcomes. Our organization merged in 2024 with two other hospitals, and we assumed this change could pose challenges to the work of the shared governance councils. The purpose of this study is to conduct a baseline survey measuring all our councils’ health, starting with a pilot including the IRIC.
Methods: The pilot survey was conducted during fall 2023. Based on the work of Hess (2022) and others, we collected data using the Council Health Survey. The survey consists of 25 questions utilizing a 5-point Likert Scale. Three questions measure council structure,17 items are related to processes and activities, and the final 5 questions focus on outcomes of council activity. Five demographic questions were added. After IRB approval, anonymous responses were collected using a REDCap data base.
Results: The pilot survey was sent to IRIC members (N=22). The response rate was 63.6%. Respondents included RNs (64.3%) and patient care service members or other professionals (35.7%). Compared to current literature, the IRIC performed very well in 2023. Areas that had the highest mean score (SD) were communication 4.79 (.426) and council chairs and management leadership teams that collaborate on council work 4.79 (.426). Low scoring areas included meeting attendance 3.71 (.994), dedicated time to complete council work 3.79 (1.051), and avenues for non-council member contribution 3.64 (1.082). The instrument showed excellent reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of .935.
Conclusions/Implications: The IRIC is performing well compared to data from Hess (2022) and others. The findings confirm the positive impact of changes made earlier by the IRIC including mentors for new members, online orientation materials and keeping a hybrid meeting format. The next steps include modifying the background variables and surveying the other hospital councils.
Description
Participants should expect to learn about the importance of council health and how this can be measured using a valid and reliable Council Health Survey created by Robert Hess et al. The success of shared governance councils and their work can be improved by providing empirical evidence helping to target and set realistic goals. Participants, especially those from Magnet and Pathway to Excellence hospitals may be able to use a similar strategy to improve their organization's council health.