A seven country comparison of nurses’ perceptions of their professional practice environment
Journal
Journal of Nursing Management
Date Issued
September 8, 2011
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011.01289.x
Abstract
Aims To describe and compare nurses perceptions of their professional practice
environment in seven countries.
Background There is evidence of variation in the nursing professional practice
environments internationally. These different work environments affect nurses
ability to perform and are linked to differing nurse and patient outcomes.
Methods A descriptive, comparative survey was used to collect data from orthopaedic
and trauma nurses (n = 1156) in Finland, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Sweden,
Turkey and Kansas, USA using the 39-item Revised Professional Practice
Environment instrument.
Results Differences were found between participants from the northern countries of
Europe, Kansas, USA, and the Mediterranean countries regarding perceptions about
control over practice. No between-country differences were reported in the internal
work motivation among the nurses from any of the participating countries.
Conclusions Although between-country differences in nurses professional practice
environment were found, difficulties related to demographic, cultural and health
system differences and the way in which nursing is defined in each country need to
be considered in the interpretation of the results.
environment in seven countries.
Background There is evidence of variation in the nursing professional practice
environments internationally. These different work environments affect nurses
ability to perform and are linked to differing nurse and patient outcomes.
Methods A descriptive, comparative survey was used to collect data from orthopaedic
and trauma nurses (n = 1156) in Finland, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Sweden,
Turkey and Kansas, USA using the 39-item Revised Professional Practice
Environment instrument.
Results Differences were found between participants from the northern countries of
Europe, Kansas, USA, and the Mediterranean countries regarding perceptions about
control over practice. No between-country differences were reported in the internal
work motivation among the nurses from any of the participating countries.
Conclusions Although between-country differences in nurses professional practice
environment were found, difficulties related to demographic, cultural and health
system differences and the way in which nursing is defined in each country need to
be considered in the interpretation of the results.