Understanding the autonomy-meaningful work relationship in nursing: A theoretical framework.

BACKGROUND: Within nursing literature, the value and contribution of autonomy to nurse work satisfaction has been consistently demonstrated. Given the current forms of work and today's technology, the scope of freedom a nurse has over and in work has expanded in many different ways. However, although autonomy is viewed as an important antecedent to meaningful work (MW), no formal theory exists attempting to explain the relationships between the various different forms of autonomy and MW. Such a theoretical framework would guide health care organizations to direct resources specifically toward those types of autonomy that are most likely to cultivate the MW and its associated outcomes such as job satisfaction. PURPOSE: To address this important gap, this article introduces a theoretical, empirically testable model of autonomy-MW that is suitable for the contemporary work environment of nurses. METHOD: Drawing from research and theory in nursing literature, organizational sciences, and business ethics on autonomy and MW, the model is presented in four parts: the proposed relationships between perceived (1) professional autonomy, (2) individual autonomy, (3) group autonomy with core dimensions of MW, and (4) the proposed relationships between these three forms of autonomy with the dimensions "inspiration" and "facing reality." FINDINGS: By using a multidimensional MW construct, our model offers fine-tuned propositions regarding how different types of autonomy influence different dimensions of MW. DISCUSSION: The model proposes that the three forms of autonomy relate differently to the dimensions of MW. This model can be used as starting point for empirical research on autonomy-MW relationships.

Nurses' experience of individual, group-based, and professional autonomy.

BACKGROUND: Autonomy and meaningful work (MW) have both been positively related to work satisfaction for nurses, however, the relationship between the various forms of autonomy and MW is unclear. Both autonomy and MW are complex concepts, and it is important to understand how different forms of autonomy, such as individual, professional, and perceived group-based autonomy, influence different dimensions of MW such as Expressing Full Potential and Service to Others. It is critical to fully understand the autonomy/MW relationship, because this knowledge can serve as a basis for developing effective and efficient interventions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationship between autonomy and MW by examining the autonomy-MW framework. METHODS: Multilevel analyses using data from 510 nurses nested within four organizational divisions from three health care organizations were conducted. The Comprehensive Meaningful Works Scale was used to measure multiple dimensions of MW. FINDINGS: Our study demonstrated that individual and professional autonomy have significant positive relationships with six of the seven MW dimensions. Perceived group autonomy has significant positive, though weak, relationships with two dimensions of MW. DISCUSSION: Our results show that different forms of autonomy relate differently to the dimensions of MW and as such demonstrate that the relationship between autonomy and MW is not a simple input-output relationship. Our results show partial support for the autonomy-MW framework. Health care organizations that want to cultivate MW should not automatically implement autonomous teams but rather understand that a combination of autonomy practices could lead to MW.