In 2003, the nursing staff at University Hospital chose to formalize the existing model of participative decision-making through establishment of Shared Governance. When the Coordinating Council chose to assess RN satisfaction, existing surveys had limitations (length, reliability). A decision was made to develop/test a survey that was easy to complete, short, and reflected the Forces of Magnetism. The organization is an original Magnet facility currently seeking Magnet Recognition and we believed the professional nursing environment would be reflected by satisfaction with elements identified as Forces of Magnetism.

The 29-item RN Satisfaction Survey includes a 5-point satisfaction scale. Once piloted, it was used in a house-wide survey with 53%(n=423)response rate. Reliability was supported (alpha=.93)and satisfaction established along all 29 items, reflective of the 14 Forces. With shared governance in place one year, the survey is being repeated to determine whether changes in the nursing environment have further enhanced staff satisfaction.

This presentation will provide a brief description of the RN Satisfaction Survey's development and implementation, the facility's nursing organization and shared governance model, and how satisfaction has changed over the model's first year of existence.