Influence of Empowerment on Nurses’ Participation in Decision Making

Background: Nursing profession is increasingly confronted with many challenges, thus nurses must be empowered to participate in all levels of decision making to enhance their commitment and improve patient care. Aim: This study aimed at identifying the influence of empowerment on nurses’ participation in decision making PDM. Method: Descriptive-correlation design was used. The study subjects included all (645) nursing staff worked at El-Mahalla General Hospital. The data were collected using IConditions of work effectiveness questionnaire, encompassed structural (57 items) and psychological empowerment (9 items). IIDecisional Involvement Scale (18 items). Results: (77.4%) of the study subjects had a high level of psychological empowerment. (44.4%) of them had a moderate level regarding structural empowerment, (76.9%, 72.9% and 47.3%) had moderate level of formal power, resources and information subscales respectively. Majority (93%) had low level of actual PDM and there was statistically high significant correlation between nurses’ empowerment and PDM. Conclusion: Regardless the considerable percent of nurses’ empowerment they still need to be empowered to enhance their PDM. It is Recommended to increase nurses’ representation in administrative boards, and apply comprehensive strategies to improve nurses’ actual PDM. Keyword: Nurses, psychological empowerment, structural empowerment, actual, preferred, and participation in decision making.