Relationships among professional nursing autonomy, perceived organizational support, and clinical nursing expertise
by Kumar, Margaret Kamalini, Ph.D., THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, 2008, 149 pages; 3347229

Abstract:

Research shows that there is a difference in the quality of nursing practice between expert and non-expert nurses. However, not all nurses develop expertise even after years of experience. Some nurses practice for many years, efficiently managing patient care, but not developing expertise.

It was hypothesized that factors other than years of experience was related to nursing expertise. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between professional nursing autonomy, perceived organizational support, and clinical nursing expertise in acute care settings. The investigator invited a random sample of 1050 clinical bedside nurses from four hospitals (two Magnet and two non-Magnet hospitals) in eastern Iowa and western Illinois to participate in the study. Three hundred and seventy nurses chose to participate, representing a 45.5% response rate. Participants completed a demographic survey and three self-report surveys on Clinical Nursing Expertise, Professional Nursing Autonomy, and Perceived Organizational Support.

The results showed that there is a positive correlation between years of experience and nursing expertise in both Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals. There was no significant correlation between level of education and expertise in either Magnet or non-Magnet hospitals. There is a statistically and practically significant correlation between professional nursing autonomy and nursing expertise in clinical beside nurses in both Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals. There was no significant correlation between perceived organizational support and nursing expertise. There was a statistically significant, (though perhaps not practically significant) relationship between professional nursing autonomy and perceived organizational support.

The results of this study have implications for nursing administration and nursing education because improving conditions for nursing autonomy may have a positive effect on nursing expertise.

 
AdviserJoyce L. Moore
SchoolTHE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
SourceDAI/A 70-02, p. , Apr 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsEducational psychology; Nursing
Publication Number3347229
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