The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Clinical RN Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Shared Governance Program at Eastern State Hospital

Background: Shared governance programs are a popular way to improve Registered Nurse (RN) engagement and retention. These programs are notoriously difficult to garner and maintain participation. However, successful shared governance can improve patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and RN engagement. Conceptual Framework: The theory of planned behavior was used as the conceptual framework for this study. This theory posits that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intentions towards a behavior can predict behavioral achievement. Methodology: Eighty clinical registered nurses were invited to voluntarily complete a survey to determine current attitudes about shared governance and intent to participate in shared governance in a 140-bed state psychiatric hospital. Once the pre-survey was completed, participants received a 10-minute training via voiceover power-point that reviewed the purpose and benefits of a shared governance program. Once the education was delivered, the participants were asked to complete a post-survey to determine their intent to participate in a shared governance program. Results: A total of 17 participants completed the pre-survey and 14 completed the post-survey. Although knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention scores increased after the intervention, these increases were not statistically significant. In the intention domain, only the willingness to ‘make a change in practice’ significantly increased after the intervention