Factors Associated with the Discrepancy Between Role Awareness and Role Performance of Nurses Educating Mid-Career Nurses in Palliative Care Units

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the presence or absence of discrepancies between the role awareness and role performance of the nursing staff educating mid-career nurses, determine the factors related to these discrepancies, and further to discuss the creation of an appropriate environment for those in charge of the education of mid-career nurses in performing their roles.

Method: A total of 431 nurses in charge of mid-career nurse education in all facilities with palliative care inpatient admissions (431) were included in the study. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using unmarked self-administered questionnaire. Questionnaire items included organizational education system, individual attributes, role awareness and role performance, and organizational climate. Discrepancy scores were calculated as role awareness scores minus role performance scores, targeting those with role awareness scores exceeding role performance scores. Relationship analyses, and multiple regression analysis were done.

Results: Out of 180 responses (response rate/41.8%), 72 (16.7%) were analyzed. Discrepancies, observed in 69 responses, were identified in all sub-scale factors of role awareness and role performance. Neither organizational education system nor individual attributes were significantly related to the discrepancies. Multiple regression analysis was done with organizational climate as explanatory variable, in consideration of the assumed relationship with the discrepancy, which revealed that the discrepancy-related variable was "good communication" (β=-0.33, p<0.05).

Discussion: The organizational climate characterized by "good communication" bridges the discrepancy between role awareness and role performance of those in charge of mid-career nurse education and enhances their role performance.