The Relationship Between Professional Autonomy and Job Stress Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Abstract

Autonomy is an essential factor in the nursing profession. Nurses’ autonomy can improve care quality, decrease mortality in patients, and attenuate job stress. This study aimed to investigate professional autonomy and its relationship with job stress among nurses working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted at Urmia nursing school in Iran in 2020. Three hundred ninety‑eight nurses working at the ICUs entered the study. Data was collected using the Dempster Practice Behavior Scale (DPBS) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) questionnaire. Independent t‑test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the relationship between demographics and study variables. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between professional autonomy and job stress of nurses. Results: The mean (SD) of total professional autonomy and job stress score of nurses was, respectively, 102. 11(91. 88), and 115. 53(12. 42), indicating moderate autonomy and job stress. Professional autonomy had a significant positive correlation with job stress (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). It also had a significant positive correlation with work experience in ICU (r = 0.12, p = 0.014). Conclusions: ICU nurses have moderate autonomy and job stress, and their autonomy is a significant positive predictor of their job stress. University authorities are recommended to develop practical strategies to enhance nurses’ autonomy and eliminate factors that cause job stress in ICU nurses in order to preserve nurses’ health, improve the quality of nursing care, and increase patient safety.