Influence of achievement motivation and autonomy on the work engagement of nurses working in emergency and critical care centers

Abstract

This study aims to identify the influence of achievement motivation and autonomy on work engagement （WE） of nurses in emergency and critical care centers. Of 288 emergency and critical care centers in Japan 120 centers were randomly sampled, and anonymous self-rating questionnaires were mailed to 915 nurses. We collected 329 responses （36.0％）, and analyzed 318 valid responses （34.8％）. Based on the standard total score of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale （UWES）, the scores of the responses were classified into three： low （207 nurses, 65.1％）, normal （81, 25.5％）, and high （30, 9.4％）. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the WE as the dependent variable, and demographics, details of employment, awareness of duty achievement motivation, and autonomy as independent variables. The results of the analysis showed that the total score of the achievement motivation scale, job satisfaction, willingness to continue employment, and the total score on the scale for professional autonomy in nursing influence the WE. The total score of achievement motivation scale also influenced all of the subordinate concepts of the WE, “vigor” “dedication” and “absorption”. Achievement motivation is the achievement of a goal based on own standards, leading to positive emotions. If nurses act on their own responsibility toward a goal, this may develop their autonomy as professionals and affect the WE. The findings suggest that “achievement motivation” “job satisfaction” “willingness to continue employment” and “autonomy” that affect the WE of nurses are ‘personal resources’, a factor specified in the WE and also a factor that improves the WE.