Effect of professional nursing practice environment and Psychological empowerment on nurses' readiness for change

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Bachelor of Science in nursing

2 Professor of Nursing Administration & (3) Assist. Professor of Nursing Administration

3 Assist. Professor of Nursing Administration & (3) Assist. Professor of Nursing Administration

Abstract

Background: The nursing shortage is an international problem and improving the practice environment has been shown to be a successful strategy against this phenomenon. Psychological empowerment of nurses and supportive practice environment is significantly associated with higher job satisfaction, job retention, quality of care and stimulating and managing organizational change. The Aim of the study: to assess the effect of a professional nursing practice environment and psychological empowerment on nurses' readiness for change. Subjects and Methods: Research design: A descriptive correlational design was used. Setting: the study was conducted at New Surgery Hospital in Zagazig University Hospitals. Subjects: A convenient sample of the nurses (n= 300). Tools of data collection: Three tools were used for data collection: Readiness for change scale; practice environment scale of the nursing work index, and nurses' psychological empowerment questionnaire. Results: the highest percentage of nurses had a high level of readiness for change and psychological empowerment (77%& 65%, respectively). The majority of the nurses (79%) had a moderate level of professional nursing practice environment. Conclusion: There was a positive statistically significant correlation between readiness for change and professional nursing practice environment scores. Also, there was a positive statistically significant correlation between professional nursing practice environment and psychological empowerment scores. Recommendations: Nurse Managers should encourage staff nurses to participate in making decision and listen to nurses concerns, Nurse Managers should conduct in-service training program about change that can support nurses to be adapted with change, and reduce emotional exhaustion and Nurse Managers should develop new ways to involve staff nurses in clinical decision making.
 

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