Abstract:
Lack of trust and respect in the workplace creates negative outcomes for both employees and the organization. In a time of nursing shortages administrators need to focus on strategies to increase recruitment and retention of nurses. Work environments that promote justice, trust and respect can facilitate retention (Spence Laschinger & Finegan, 2005). The purpose of this study is to examine relationships among empowerment, trust and respect, with job satisfaction and organizational commitment of staff nurses. Kanter's Model of Organization Empowerment (1993) is the framework for this study. The sample will include 550 nurses from three different acute care hospitals in Anchorage, Alaska. A random sample of staff nurses working in medical-surgical or intensive care units will be invited to participate. The anticipated sample is 200 registered nurses. Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire (CWEQ-II) will measure nurse's perceptions of access to the six elements of structural empowerment. Mishra's (1996) Trust in Management Scale will be used to measure trust. Siegrist's (1996) Esteem Scale will be used to measure respect. Findings will provide nurse managers knowledge about nurse job satisfaction and retention in the work environment.