Perception of work-related empowerment of nurse managers

Abstract

Purpose/Aim The paper aims to analyse the perception of being empowered according to the self-evaluation of nurse managers, presenting it as structural and psychological empowerment. Methods A questionnaire-based study was conducted. The sample consisted of 193 nurse managers working in a total of seven university and general level hospitals in Lithuania. The Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II measuring structural empowerment and the Work Empowerment Questionnaire measuring psychological empowerment were used. Results The paper reveals that nurse managers experienced structural empowerment at a moderate level and were highly psychologically empowered. Conclusions These findings are in line with previous research. The results showed that particular background factors were related to aspects of empowerment. The findings of this research can be used to examine the structural and psychological aspects that function as barriers to feeling empowered. The results are also useful for chief nurses who are involved in the recruitment and retention of nurse managers. Further research is needed to look into the question of improving formal power issues, e.g. the rewards for innovation at work, and also outcome empowerment aspects that may affect changes in the way that nurse managers carry out their work.