Increasing job satisfaction and motivation while reducing nursing turnover through the implementation of shared governance

In today's cost-conscious, changing health care environment, health care agencies must identify and implement strategies to promote fiscal responsibility while maintaining employee satisfaction and retention. The cost to recruit professional nurses is high. Therefore, the business objective is to retain the productive employee. Through the implementation of shared governance, employees find the workplace rewarding and stimulating--motivating factors as described by Herzberg. The Secretary's Commission on Nursing identified 16 strategies for the reduction of the nursing shortage and retention of professional nurses. One recommendation reinforces a report by the American Academy of Nursing that states work satisfaction among nurses in higher and turnover rates lower when organizational climates provide for nursing's involvement in decision making relating not only to nursing practice and unit management but also patient care. Through shared governance, staff nurse involvement in nursing and patient care policy is advanced.