A Critique: Quantitative Research Study In their article, The relationship between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction, Donahue, Piazza, Griffin, Dykes, and Fitzpatrick (2008) utilize a descriptive correlational design to describe nurses’ perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction and to identify and examine relationships among these variables (Grove, Gray, and Burns, 2015). In their introduction to the article, the authors cite the need for nurse executives to establish a culture that supports autonomy and control and promote a work setting that encourages collaborative relationships in the entire organization (Donahue, et al., 2008). The authors also state that a positive work environment is a key to nurse
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The authors cite several existing research studies most of which are greater than five years old, but are relevant to the problem statement. The literature review is organized and presented from the most recent (2005) to older studies. Many of the studies reviewed were primarily based on Kanter’s theory of structural power in organizations. The authors note that Kanter’s theory was first applied in the business field and subsequently become the basis for nursing studies. Earlier studies, however, examined other related theories, e.g., organization theory, critical social theory, and social psychological theory (Donahue, et al., 2008). Overall, the studies that are referred to suggested evidence of a definite correlation between a culture that supports and promotes nurse empowerment and positive patient outcome (Donahue, et al., 2008). In summary, as evidenced by the different studies, two overriding findings support the hypothesis on the correlation between nurse empowerment and patient satisfaction. Nurses who perceive themselves as empowered “are more likely to use more effective work practices” (Donahue, et al., 2008, p. 2) that would consequently impact positive patient …show more content…
The independent variable that is examined in the study is nurse empowerment. In addition, a list of demographic variables in line with nurse empowerment, are also examined in the study. These demographic variables include “age of nurse, degree held, years in nursing, years working at the study hospital, specialty area, position within the organization, and certification status” (Donahue, et al., 2008, p. 2). All these variables are cited under the methods section, while the conceptual definition of the independent variable is defined and discussed under the conceptual framework section wherein nurse empowerment variable is further narrowed down to “job-related empowerment structures that include access to information, support, resources, and opportunities for growth and promotion” (Donahue, et al., 2008, p. 2). The authors, however, do not provide operational definition to both the dependent and independent
The authors cite several existing research studies most of which are greater than five years old, but are relevant to the problem statement. The literature review is organized and presented from the most recent (2005) to older studies. Many of the studies reviewed were primarily based on Kanter’s theory of structural power in organizations. The authors note that Kanter’s theory was first applied in the business field and subsequently become the basis for nursing studies. Earlier studies, however, examined other related theories, e.g., organization theory, critical social theory, and social psychological theory (Donahue, et al., 2008). Overall, the studies that are referred to suggested evidence of a definite correlation between a culture that supports and promotes nurse empowerment and positive patient outcome (Donahue, et al., 2008). In summary, as evidenced by the different studies, two overriding findings support the hypothesis on the correlation between nurse empowerment and patient satisfaction. Nurses who perceive themselves as empowered “are more likely to use more effective work practices” (Donahue, et al., 2008, p. 2) that would consequently impact positive patient …show more content…
The independent variable that is examined in the study is nurse empowerment. In addition, a list of demographic variables in line with nurse empowerment, are also examined in the study. These demographic variables include “age of nurse, degree held, years in nursing, years working at the study hospital, specialty area, position within the organization, and certification status” (Donahue, et al., 2008, p. 2). All these variables are cited under the methods section, while the conceptual definition of the independent variable is defined and discussed under the conceptual framework section wherein nurse empowerment variable is further narrowed down to “job-related empowerment structures that include access to information, support, resources, and opportunities for growth and promotion” (Donahue, et al., 2008, p. 2). The authors, however, do not provide operational definition to both the dependent and independent