Relationship between Professional Nursing Organization for Certified Nurses and Staff Nurses’ Work Motivation in Small- and Medium-Sized Hospitals

Abstract

The study's purpose was to determine the relationship between professional nursing organizations for certified nurses (CN) and staff nurses' work motivation in Small- and Medium-Sized Hospitals. Three hundred and thirty seven CNs and 1685 staff nurses working in hospitals nationwide with 400 beds or fewer were targeted. CNs were asked about their individual demographics (such as length of time as a CN) and about forming specialized CN nursing organizations; staff nurses were asked about their work motivation. A covariance structure analysis was used to examine the relational model between CN's demographic attributes, forming specialized CN nursing organizations, and staff nurses' work motivation. Researchers collected 286 replies from CNs and 1266 from staff nurses. The relational model showed that the demographic attribute, "10 years or more of experience as a certified nurse" led to "positive communication" via the "problem solving behaviors" aspect of forming specialized nursing organizations, which then led to staff nurses' "self-actualization through work." The model also showed that the demographic attribute "participation in off-site activities" led to the staff nurses' "self-actualization through work" via the "positive communication" aspect of forming specialized nursing organizations. This suggests that CNs may improve their counseling skills and their communication skills via off-site activities. Additionally, by providing staff nurses with positive feedback about success stories and personal growth, specialized nursing organizations may help them increase their sense of work accomplishment and satisfaction.