• Innovativeness
• GEMS Shared Governance
• Leadership
• Work Place Culture

Dr. Joseph teaches leadership, health systems and professional nursing courses within the College of Nursing. Prior to joining the University of Iowa, she was the Lead Research Scientist over an eight hospital health care system nursing research program in the Southern United States.

Her career has primarily been in the acute care setting where she directed corporate level continuing education and evaluation for interdisciplinary programming. Additionally, she used research and evaluation methods to understand and foster inquiry and innovation among direct care nurses for evidence-based practice, knowledge development, professional nursing practice, and nursing practice council effectiveness. Dr. Joseph also evaluates work place cultures and social systems to redesign leadership practices, nursing practice, and patient care.

Dr. Joseph co-developed the General Effectiveness Multilevel theory for Shared Governance (GEMS Theory). Created through six mixed-methods studies, GEMS is a systematic, evidence-based approach that prepares nursing leadership to gain higher productivity from the nursing work force and that enables Nursing Practice Councils (NPCs) to become increasingly effective through three phases of shared governance.

Dr. Joseph is a national consultant for shared governance, professional nursing practice, and courageous leadership.  She serves on the editorial review board for Journal of Nursing Administration and is a member of AONE, STTI and SNRS. Additionally, she is the Chair of the Board’s Membership Committee for KING International Nursing Group. Dr. Joseph is published and has received grant funding at the state, regional and national level.