Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment: a cross‐sectional study

Yingjuan Cao, Michelle DiGiacomo, Yenna Salamonson, Ye Li, Baosha Huai and Patricia M Davidson

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2015, vol. 24, issue 23-24, 3441-3448

Abstract: Aims and objectives To describe nurses’ perceptions concerning their professional practice environment in mainland China and identify factors associated with these views. Background Globally, the environments in which nurses work influence the quality of nursing practice and health care. Design A cross‐sectional descriptive survey using both paper‐ and online‐based delivery modes was used. Method A convenience sampling method was used. The survey questionnaire was composed of sociodemographic items and the 38‐item Chinese version of Professional Practice Environment survey. The content of the paper‐based questionnaire was identical to the online survey. Pearson's chi‐square test was conducted to compare the demographic characteristics of these two data sets. Descriptive statistics analysis included frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression analysis using the Backwards method was applied to identify independent predictors of each subscale of the 38‐item Chinese version of Professional Practice Environment. Results A total of 573 questionnaires were analysed. The mean score of each subscale of the 38‐item Chinese version of Professional Practice Environment in this study ranged from 2·66–3·05. All subscales except work motivation (3·05, standard deviation: 0·44) scored less than 3·0. Areas rated as most in need of improvement included control over practice, interpersonal interaction, supportive leadership and handling conflict, and staff relationships with physicians and autonomy. Conclusion This study has identified nurses’ perspectives regarding their workplaces in contemporary China. These data have provided an important baseline for developing and implementing culturally appropriate strategies to improve the working environment of Chinese nurses. Relevance to clinical practice A supportive and enabling work environment promotes professional development and the safety and quality of health care. Addressing these factors is important in optimising work place environments.

Date: 2015
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12953

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:24:y:2015:i:23-24:p:3441-3448

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Journal of Clinical Nursing from John Wiley & Sons
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Wiley Content Delivery ().