The Effect of Overall Nursing Practice Environment in Hospitals on Nurses’ Professional Development

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of the overall nursing practice environment in hospitals on nurses' professional development. Methods: Registered nurses (n = 1,419) working at three hospitals in eastern Japan were administered anonymous self-evaluation questionnaires comprising the Professional Development Scale for the Public Health Nurse, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, and a questionnaire that included items on participants' demographics. Structural Equation Modeling was used to assess the relationship between these items. Results: A total of 1,129 registered nurses completed the questionnaires. The results of the analysis revealed that the model was an appropriate fit. The path coefficients of "Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs" on nurses' professional development was .25 (p < .01), and that of "Nursing Foundations for Quality of Care" on nurses' professional development was .23 (p < .01). Conclusion: These results suggest that the nursing practice environment factors "Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs" and "Nursing Foundations for Quality of Care" have positive effects on nurses' professional development.