Structural empowerment of nurses in emergency services: an integrative review

Abstract

Abstract Objective to synthesize and analyze the scientific evidence on the structural empowerment of nurses, specifically in the context of the emergency room. Methods An integrative literature review was carried out using the electronic databases Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase. 174 articles were identified in the databases, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria: original studies, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, published from 1996 onwards and whose scope was work on the structural empowerment of nurses working in the various emergency scenarios. After evaluating and refining the studies using the established criteria, a total of six studies were obtained for analysis. Results Two thematic categories were established to synthesize the knowledge: “the dimensions of structural empowerment of emergency nurses” and “the relationship between nurses’ structural empowerment and other variables and their impact in the emergency context”. These thematic categories made it clear that opportunity is fundamental to nurses’ empowerment in this context, as well as the relevance of leadership and the work environment as important components that influence nurses’ empowerment and professional practice. Conclusion Structural empowerment is significant for nurses’ professional practice in the context of emergencies, since having access to the dimensions of empowerment results in autonomy at work, higher levels of self-efficacy and an improvement in the quality and safety of the care provided.