Meaningful Recognition in a Healthy Work Environment for Nurse Engagement in a Critical Care Setting
Date of Award
12-2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Advanced Care Management and Leadership
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Patricia L. Hart
Second Advisor
Ms. Nancy Ballard
Abstract
Purpose: To examine which types of recognition are most meaningful to critical care nurses and study the relationships of meaningful recognition with a healthy work environment and nurse engagement.
Design: A descriptive, correlational design was used for this research study.
Methods: Two hundred-two critical care nurses from an urban, teaching hospital in the southeastern US were invited to participate in the study. Data collection occurred in September and October 2014.
Results: Nurses report the most meaningful recognition is salary and schedule. However, the remaining four subscales of recognition were rated at a level between moderate and considerable and should be considered of value. A significant relationship was found between nurses' perceptions of global recognition and healthy work environments, r (74) = .510, p = < .01. Nurses’ perceptions of global recognition had a moderately, positive relationship with healthy work environments. A significant relationship was not found between nurses’ perceptions of a healthy work environment and engagement, r (74) = .101, p = .393.
Conclusion: Many forms of recognition are valuable and recognition is significant to a healthy work environment. However, motivators for engagement are more elusive and need further study.