Participation in a shared governance council has impacted the nurse's leadership by which effect?

• A. Increased the nurse's stress
• B. No change
• C. Increased the nurse's autonomy and confidence
• D. Decreased autonomy

Answer: (C)

Participating in a shared governance council expands a nurse’s leadership by giving real influence over practice decisions, policies, and quality improvements. When nurses help set standards and see the outcomes of their input, they gain autonomy in how they deliver care, and their confidence to lead changes grows. This empowerment—coupled with credibility from hands-on involvement—makes it easier to mentor others, advocate for patients, and drive ongoing improvements. While new responsibilities can bring some initial stress, the intended effect of a well-implemented shared governance model is increased autonomy and confidence, not no change or decreased autonomy.