Learning Objective #1: Describe the use of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire to measure nurse empowerment

Learning Objective #2: Describe the relationship between nurse empowerment and patient satisfaction in an acute care hospital

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The purpose of this proposed study is to explore the relationship between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction using Kanter's theory as adapted by Laschinger and others. The research questions are: Do registered nurses who work at Greenwich Hospital perceive themselves to be empowered? What are the factors that affect nurses' perceptions of empowerment? Are nurse empowerment scores predictive of patient satisfaction scores? The hypothesis proposed in this study is: There is a positive relationship between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction. The variables in this study are: nurse empowerment and patient satisfaction. A descriptive correlational design will be utilized for this study. Instruments to measure nurse empowerment are the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II, the Job Activities Scale-II, and the Organization Relationship Scale-II. Patient satisfaction will be examined using the mean scores on the Press Ganey Associates Patient Satisfaction Surveys returned July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004. To examine nurses' perceptions of empowerment, a convenience sample will include all active status registered nurses employed at Greenwich Hospital. The sample for patient satisfaction will include mean scores on the Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Surveys returned July 1, 2004 though September 30, 2004. Research questions will be tested using data that are analyzed through use of descriptive statistics, and correlation and regression analyses.