Abstract:
The current nursing shortage is having a significant impact on health care organizations in the United States. Employee turnover rates are important for organizations to control because of the effect that high turnover rates have on orientation costs and continuity of care. Organizations need to evaluate the components of organizational structure that lead to increased retention rates among registered nurses. Perceived empowerment and autonomy are two components that may increase job satisfaction, thereby decreasing turnover rates. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among perceived empowerment, autonomy and job satisfaction in registered nurses. Kanter's Theory of Organizational Empowerment (1993) will be the theoretical framework for the study. The instruments used will be the Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire, the Autonomy subscale of the Job Characteristics Inventory, and the McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale. The predictive correlational study will be conducted with registered nurses currently employed in a central Indiana hospital system. Permission for the study will be obtained from Ball State University and the participating hospital system. All registered nurses in the system will be mailed a questionnaire with a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study. Consent will be implied from completion and return of the questionnaire. Participation is voluntary and data will remain anonymous. Findings from this study will be significant for nurse administrators who can use this information to implement practices addressing empowerment and autonomy issues for nurses that may increase job satisfaction.