RESUMO
PURPOSE: To identify the degree of personal initiative (PI) among psychiatric nurses and to examine the influence of personal and organizational characteristics on their PI. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ninety-seven nurses completed a questionnaire on PI, work climate, self-efficacy toward initiatives and innovations, nursing work environment, and actual initiative at work. FINDINGS: Differences in actual initiative at work according to the level of education, and negative association between PI and age were found. Self-efficacy and work climate explained 56% of PI; self-efficacy, work climate, and age explained 30% of initiative behavior. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Investing in young nurses, fostering higher education, and creating supportive work environment can help in conversion of innovative vision into actual initiatives.
