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Lit Review: Literature Review: A comprehensive literature search used Library Services and OVID synthesis to search CINAHL and PubMed databases with the key terms: nursing professional governance, unit practice council, shared governance, unit-based council and engagement. Nursing Professional Governance (NPG) literature supports the UPC as the unit's decision-making body for nursing practice, quality, competence, and knowledge. Evidence also supports strengthening communication, frontline nurse participation, and accountability for unit-based practice changes through governance structures. Best practice indicates that committees should inform the UPC, bring forward concerns, seek input from council members, and return for decisions that fall within their authority. PICO: Does the practice of having all unit committees report to their Unit Practice Council (UPC) to share information and for decision-making improve nurse engagement compared to the current practice of multiple committees meeting outside of their UPC within a three-month pilot period? Results: An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare pre- and post-survey responses. Nurse engagement scores improved following the intervention, with statistically significant increases in nurses' perceived involvement in nursing practice decisions and willingness to submit practice-improvement ideas to the UPC. Perceptions that the UPC made decisions that positively impacted practice improved. The results showed that nurses who participated in NPG activities had significantly higher overall engagement scores. Significant improvements were observed in understanding the role of the UPC, willingness to propose practice-improvement ideas, and accountability for nursing practice. Aligning committees through the UPC improved communication, increased visibility of committee work and strengthened nurse engagement in the CICU. This project supports the UPC as the decision-making body for nursing practice.

Publication Date

11-9-2026

Keywords

Pediatric nursing

Engaging the Nurse’s Voice - Committee Alignment in the Unit Practice Council.pdf

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