Nurses' Experiences of Empowerment and Autonomy Following Hospital Restructuring
McDonald, Judith Ann
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/79673
Description
Title
Nurses' Experiences of Empowerment and Autonomy Following Hospital Restructuring
Author(s)
McDonald, Judith Ann
Issue Date
2002
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Scott Johnson
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Health Sciences, Health Care Management
Language
eng
Abstract
This research study examined registered nurses' response to the structural changes in their work world. Managed care, cost containment, and downsizing have resulted in a shifting and variable hierarchy of leadership in nursing. The widely reported shortage of nurses, resulting in assumed lapses in quality of care, has been compounded by the loss of a supportive leadership structure. The question was asked whether increased empowerment and autonomy truly exists in the workplace and whether it creates a positive balance to the morale of nurses laboring with a work shortage. A hospital in the Chicago area was used as the setting for this research on how nurses respond to change in their positions and responsibilities. Nurses who had been employed in the institution in non-managerial positions completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire looked for the degree of empowerment and autonomy nurses experienced. Follow-up interviews were conducted on a limited basis to confirm, embellish, and explain information developed in the questionnaire. The benefit of this study was to increase knowledge of creative management for nurses working in acute care settings. The literature review, the questionnaires, and the interviews all pointed to the need for greater communication between management and staff. This study indicated a positive outlook for nurses wanting to remain in their profession. There was only moderate indication of autonomy and empowerment experienced by nurses working in the clinical setting.
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