Organizational Support as Perceived by Staff Nurses and Its Relation to Their Autonomy

Abstract

Context: Nurses need support at all levels in the organization. When staff nurses perceive organizational support, this can promote their sense of well-being, raise positive work behaviors and enhance their autonomy in patient care and unit operational decisions through having the right to make decisions and do their best to increase productivity and achieve organizational goals.
Aim: The current study aimed to assess organizational support perceived by staff nurses and its relation to their autonomy.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analytical research design was utilized to achieve the aim of the current study. This study was conducted in all units of Benha University Hospital. Study subjects were301 out of 1224 staff nurses; their selection was based on a simple random sample. Two tools were used for data collection: the perceived organizational support questionnaire and staff nurses' autonomy scale.

Results: The study results yield that more than two-thirds (73.3%) of the studied staff nurses had low perception levels regarding organizational support. In comparison, less than half (45.8%) of them had moderate autonomy levels. Also, there was a highly statistically significant positive correlation (p-value <0.001) between organizational support as perceived by studied staff nurses and their autonomy. Conclusions: The study concluded that a positive, highly statistically significant correlation was found between organizational support as perceived by studied staff nurses and their autonomy. The study recommended that the hospital clarify available organizational support types for staff nurses and encourage them to express their needs, and put strategies to increase needed support. Hospital administrators should enhance staff nurses’ autonomy regarding patients' care and the unit's operational decisions. A training program should be provided for staff nurses to be more autonomous to make independent, wise decisions. Future research is suggested regarding a broader cross-section replication of this study for diverse nurses from all over the country that may yield a generalization of the results. Also, further research is needed to explore barriers that staff nurses face in autonomous decision-making and how to promote them in participation in unit operational decisions.