Military Nurses Perceptions of Autonomy
Abstract
Military nurses sustain the health of deployed soldiers in a variety of contingencies. Autonomy is considered by nurses to affect both job satisfaction and the delivery of effective patient care. Previous studies showed that military nurses perceptions of autonomy, as well as most indicators of job satisfaction, were lower than their civilian counterparts. Yet, when deployed, military nurses must function with greater autonomy than most of their civilian counterparts. To develop autonomy and authority in the military nurse, their current perceptions of autonomy must be known. Based on the Power Theory, Kanter s Model of Power and Opportunity and Organizational Empowerment Model, a comparative descriptive design was used to determine the perceived autonomy of military nurses both with and without deployment experience. Perceptions of autonomy and authority were only slightly above midpoint for the questionnaire scale, regardless of grouping by deployment experience, position held (rank) or work environment. Nurses with deployment experience had slightly higher perceptions of autonomy and authority. Type of work experience (unit) influenced perceptions of authority and autonomy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA421565
Entities
People
- Denise M. Lyons
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences