Patricia Groves

Patricia Groves, PhD, RN, is an Associate Professor and Director of the MSN-CNL Program at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. Her research program centers on patient safety in hospital settings, specifically examining intersections among safety culture, bedside nursing practice, patient engagement, and safety outcomes—with additional focus on factors like implicit bias. She holds leadership roles including Directorship on the Genesis Health Systems Board and membership in the Health Professional Educators Summer Symposium.

Education:

• PhD, University of Missouri
• BSN, University of Missouri

Dr. Groves' research spans patient safety systems, clinical communication, and nursing workforce dynamics. Her work employs mixed methodologies including grounded theory, factorial surveys, and scoping reviews to investigate how organizational structures and individual biases impact safety outcomes. Recent studies emphasize nurse decision-making during care transitions, pandemic-era challenges, and patient-clinician trust frameworks.

Her publications (2020-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on safety culture measurement, nurse well-being during crises, and equity in care delivery. Trends include increased attention to: 1) Psychological and systemic factors affecting safety reporting, 2) Leadership resilience under stress, and 3) Patient-centered communication models.

Leadership & Service:

• Director, Genesis Health Systems Board
• Member, Health Professional Educators Summer Symposium