Decisional Involvement on Work Quality of Nurses

Abstract

Purpose of the Study Empowerment through decisional involvement among staff nurses is becoming an important approach in improving nursing systems in hospitals. Herzberg’s Motivation versus Hygiene Theory was used as the research framework with decisional involvement as a motivator. Methodology The research explored the relationship between the actual decisional involvement and work quality among staff nurses of a tertiary hospital using correlation research design. Two hundred fifty-seven randomly-selected subjects were surveyed using the Decisional Involvement Scale and Work Quality Index. Results and Discussion The findings revealed that staff nurses experienced low involvement in decision making when unit managers made resolutions in the areas of professional practice (x̅ = 2.78), governance and leadership (x̅ = 1.67), support staff practice (x̅ = 2.15), and recruitment (x̅ = 2.35). Sharing of ideas occurred between head nurses and staff nurses when decisions regarding unit staffing ( = 2.78) and collaboration/liaison activities (x̅ = 2.94) were made. Participants were found to be moderately satisfied with their work quality in terms of professional work environment (x̅ = 4.37), autonomy of practice (x̅ = 4.99), work worth to self and others (x̅ = 5.19), professional relationships (x̅ = 5.07) and professional role enactment (x̅ = 4.93). Minor dissatisfaction was perceived with the work benefits (x̅ = 3.96) that the respondents receive. There was a significant positive relationship (r = 0.47, p < 0.001) between actual decisional involvement and work quality among nurses of the institution. Conclusions and Recommendations These findings supported Herzberg’s Motivation versus Hygiene Theory which states that contentment with work quality is influenced by intrinsic factors such as decisional involvement. The findings of this study can be used as bases in formulating shared governance strategies in healthcare organizations.