Factors in the Perioperative Nurses' Work Environment That Predict Work Engagement

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Perioperative nurse engagement and certification are vital for a culture of safety.
• Understanding the interplay between the practice environment, engagement, and certification is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between the perioperative practice environment and nurse engagement.
• To determine if nurse certification influences engagement levels.
• To identify factors that help or hinder achieving and maintaining certification.

Main Methods:

• A multiphase mixed-methods study was conducted.
• Quantitative data were collected from 379 perioperative nurses.
• Qualitative interviews with 15 nurses supplemented the quantitative findings.

Main Results:

• Leadership support and nursing foundations for quality care significantly predicted nurse engagement.
• No significant difference in engagement scores was found between certified and noncertified nurses.
• Qualitative findings supported the quantitative results.

Conclusions:

• The perioperative practice environment, particularly leadership support and quality care foundations, influences nurse engagement.
• Nurse certification alone does not appear to be a significant driver of engagement.
• Further research into facilitators and barriers for certification is warranted.