Structural and Psychological Empowerment in Explaining Job Satisfaction and Burnout in Nurses: A Two-Level
Agnieszka Orlowska1, Mariola Laguna1
1The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Institute of Psychology, Lublin, Poland.
Journal of Nursing Management
|April 14, 2025
Summary
Structural empowerment in hospital departments boosts nurses
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Organizational Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Empowerment theory provides a framework for understanding the relationship between organizational structures and individual job outcomes.
- Nurses' job satisfaction and burnout are influenced by both contextual factors within hospital departments and individual-level perceptions.
- A multilevel approach is necessary to disentangle the effects of organizational-level empowerment and individual psychological states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a two-level model examining the relationships between structural empowerment in hospital departments and nurses' job satisfaction and burnout.
- To investigate whether psychological empowerment mediates the effects of structural empowerment on nurses' job satisfaction and burnout.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized data from 309 nurses and midwives across 29 public hospital departments.
- Multilevel modeling and cross-level mediation analysis were employed to analyze the data.
- Nurses were treated as Level 1 and hospital departments as Level 2 in the multilevel model.
Main Results:
- Structural empowerment at the department level positively correlated with nurses' psychological empowerment (sense of competence and autonomy).
- Structural empowerment was positively associated with job satisfaction and negatively associated with burnout (exhaustion and disengagement).
- Psychological empowerment significantly mediated the relationship between structural empowerment and both job satisfaction and burnout dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Psychological empowerment acts as a key mechanism linking structural empowerment to improved job satisfaction and reduced burnout in nurses.
- Findings support the extension of multilevel theories of empowerment in healthcare settings.
- Enhancing structural and psychological empowerment in hospital departments is crucial for improving nurses' work experiences and well-being.
Related Concept Videos
01:22The Professional Nurse
3.9K
Professional nurses are not limited to bedside care and are taking roles of greater responsibility. A nurse should have a knowledge-based practice, including personal, theoretical, procedural, cultural, and reflexive knowledge. Additionally, nurses must be competent in cognitive, technical, interpersonal, and ethical/legal skills. Some of the best attributes of successful nurses include the following:
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
3.9K
01:29Nursing Code of Ethics
2.1K
The Nursing Code of Ethics sets the ethical benchmark for the profession, and guides nurses in ethical analysis and decision making at the societal, organizational, and clinical levels. The code encompasses showing compassion and respect for the patient, their families, and communities in all circumstances while committing to providing patient-centered care. In addition, the code states that nurses must advocate for the patient by defending a cause or recommendation to protect their rights,...
2.1K
01:27Ethical Issues
811
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
811
01:09Accountability and Responsibility of a Nurse II
661
Professional accountability in nursing is a multifaceted concept that encompasses professional ethics, legal standards, and employment expectations. This framework ensures that nurses maintain and elevate the quality of care while upholding the values of their profession. It compels them to treat patients, families, and colleagues with respect, compassion, and integrity.
For example, a nurse demonstrating respect and compassion might listen attentively to a patient's concerns, provide...
For example, a nurse demonstrating respect and compassion might listen attentively to a patient's concerns, provide...
661
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
1.2K
Trends in nursing are multifactorial and associated with changes in society, within the nursing profession, and in other professions. Notably, telehealth and remote nursing contribute to successful healthcare delivery for numerous patients and help reduce stress for nurses due to nursing shortages. Nurses can reach patients, monitor their conditions, and interact with them using computers, audio, visual accessories, and telephones—for example, remote patient monitoring systems. Likewise,...
1.2K
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I
1.4K
Current trends in nursing include:
1.4K