Outcomes of Professional Governance in Nursing: A Systematic Review of Measurement (2014-2024)

Professional governance in nursing evolved from shared governance, emphasizing autonomy, accountability, improving practice environments, and patient outcomes.

This systematic review examines how governance outcomes are defined, measured, and reported in nursing literature (2014-2024), focusing on nurse, patient, and organizational impact.

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 12 databases were searched using terms including "professional governance" and "outcomes." Peer-reviewed research addressing outcomes was included. Of the 984 articles screened, 33 were included and analyzed.

Studies (n=33) included cross-sectional (n=22), quasi-experimental (n=2), randomized trials (n=2), qualitative (n=2), mixed-methods (n=2), and longitudinal (n=2). The Index of Professional Nursing Governance was the most common measure. Outcomes included nurse job satisfaction, patient safety, and council effectiveness. Most studies were low-level evidence.

Professional governance improves outcomes, but low-level designs and outdated measures may limit evidence. Future research needs rigorous designs to better quantify the cost and impact of robust professional governance.