Predictors and outcomes of nurse professional autonomy: A cross‐sectional study.

Aims: This paper is a report examining the level of professional autonomy as well as its predictors and outcomes among practicing nurses in the Philippines. Methods: This study adopted a descriptive, cross‐sectional research design. One hundred sixty‐six (n = 166) nurses participated in the study or a response rate of 83% during the months of January 2017 to May 2017. Seven self‐reported scales were used for this study: the Nurse Autonomy Scale, Job Stress Scale, Burnout Measure Scale, Job Satisfaction Index, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, Turnover Intention Inventory Scale, and the Six Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the collected data. Results: Nurses demonstrated moderate levels of professional autonomy with education and hospital bed capacity as strong predictors. Regression analysis showed positive effects of professional autonomy on nurses' job outcomes such as organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and work performance. Conclusion: Consistent to international studies, nurses in the Philippines demonstrated moderate levels of professional autonomy. Nurses who had higher levels of autonomy tended to be high performing, satisfied, and committed in their jobs. Organizational efforts are critically important to foster autonomy in practicing nurses through adequate support, education, training, and developed policies. What is already known about the topic? Professional autonomy is an essential aspect of a positive work environment and is attributed to enhanced outcomes in patients, nurses, and organizations.The literature has identified several factors (individual and organizational) that influence nurses' ability to gaining professional autonomy.In the Philippines, the extent to which practicing nurses act, function, and practice independently according to their professional nursing role remains unexplored.What this paper adds? Results showed moderate professional autonomy among Philippine nurses with education and hospital bed capacity as important predictors.Higher perceptions of professional autonomy were linked to enhanced organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and work performance.The implications of this paper: Nursing leaders and managers are strategically positioned to enhance autonomy in practicing nurses through provision of adequate resources, organizational support, and developed policies.Professional enrichment through continuing education, training, and provision of adequate mentorship and coaching are essential to promote autonomy in nurses.By strengthening the concepts of nursing autonomy and professionalism in the curriculum, nursing education can play an essential role in preparing future nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]