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

BACKGROUND: Professional governance in nursing evolved from shared governance, emphasizing autonomy, accountability, improving practice environments, and patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examines how governance outcomes are defined, measured, and reported in nursing literature (2014-2024), focusing on nurse, patient, and organizational impact. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Professional governance improves outcomes, but low-level designs and outdated measures may limit evidence.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.