Premium
Perceptions of structural empowerment: nurse leaders in rural health services
Author(s) -
Bish Melanie,
Kenny Amanda,
Nay Rhonda
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.12029
Subject(s) - nursing , empowerment , acknowledgement , nursing management , rural health , health care , perception , medicine , psychology , rural area , political science , computer security , neuroscience , computer science , pathology , law
Aim To provide insight into the perceptions of structural empowerment of nurse leaders working in rural and regional Victoria, Australia. Background Fostering nurse leadership in rural health services may be informed by gaining insight into rural nurse leaders' perceptions of structural empowerment. Method A sample of nurse executives ( n = 45) from hospitals throughout rural Victoria, Australia completed the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II ( CWEQ ‐ II ) aimed to measure structural empowerment. Results Rural nurse leaders' perceive themselves to be moderately empowered. Conclusion The concept of structural empowerment may be useful to inform rural leadership practices. Implications for nursing management Acknowledgement of structural empowerment by nurse leaders may assist in the process of formulating strategies to facilitate an open, honest and responsive culture of patient safety, removing silos, departmental turf issues, and professional territoriality in healthcare services.