Utilizing Magnet Hospital Characteristics to Foster Nursing Empowerment and Reduce Levels of Burnout and Job Dissatisfaction

Abstract

Hospitals with magnet recognition, by dealing with and applying organizational and professional issues, have been effectual at recruiting and retaining nurses. In comparison to the nurses employed in non-magnet settings, nurses employed in hospitals with magnet characteristics have less burnout, job dissatisfaction and more feeling of empowerment. This research is also sought to analyze that how magnet characteristics of hospitals can be utilized to foster nursing empowerment and reduce levels of burnout and job dissatisfaction. An integrative review of the literature is also done regarding Magnet hospital characteristics and nurse empowerment and Kanter's Theory on structural empowerment.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Background and Rationale for Study6

Problem Statement7

Research Question7

Review of Literature8

Theoretical Framework8

Kanter's Theory of Organizational Empowerment8

Model Testing of Kanter's Theory10

Burnout in Nursing11

Methodology13

Expected Result13

References14

Utilizing Magnet Hospital Characteristics to Foster Nursing Empowerment and Reduce Levels of Burnout and Job Dissatisfaction

Introduction

A serious nursing shortage is currently experienced by the nursing profession, due to the restructuring initiatives in hospitals. (Sochalski, 2001; O'Brien-Pallas et al., 1998; Ryten, 1997) According to estimation by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2008), there will be a shortfall of 500,000 registered nurses, by 2025, in the United States. With the escalation of nursing shortage, nurse-patient relationships, appropriateness and effectiveness of care will also get affected. (Mennick, 2007) It is argued by Buerhaus et al. (2000) that in nursing, the nature of the work environment lends considerably to this shortage. There is substantial indication to imply that the existing nursing work environment is counterproductive. Because of the shortage of nursing personnel, increased responsibilities are faced by current nurses and they do not get privileged with adequate support staff to assist them. To invigorate this stress, the patients overseen by them are sicker. Many hospitals have established compulsory overtime to manage amplified patient care demands. Exhaustion and the demoralization of nurses are led by such arduous work schedules.

Besides, it is felt by nurses that in the workplace, their abilities and skills are not valued. Hence, it is not unexpected that nurses have happen to be burned out (Baumann et al. 2002), simultaneously many of them leave their profession. (Aiken et al. 2001) It is argued by many researchers that if the current nursing shortage is to be solved then a change must be brought up in working environment of hospitals. (Laschinger et al. 2002; Aiken et al. 1997) Aiken suggests ways in his research on magnet hospitals, to change the hospital environment. (McClure et al. 1982; Aiken et al. 1999)

Affiliated with the American Nurses Association, the ANCC- American Nurses' Credentialing Center gives the award of magnet status to hospitals that assure a set of standards proposed to assess their nursing's excellence and quality. A Magnet hospital is declared to be one where excellent patient outcomes are delivered by nursing, where a high level of job satisfaction is possessed by nurses, and where there is a low turnover rate among staff nurse and proper resolution of ...