Understanding the Relationship of Perceived Managerial Support and Practice Environment among Staff Nurses

Written by Simon Paul Navarro

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2023.13.02.1305

Abstract

Background: Managerial support and practice environment in the nursing workplace are scientifically argued as interdependent determinants of staff retention, job satisfaction, and turnover rates, which influence overall patient and hospital outcomes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived managerial support and the practice environment of staff nurses.

Methods: This study used a descriptive correlational design to explore perceived managerial support and its relation to the practice environment of staff nurses. Survey methods, utilizing two validated instruments, the Supervisory Support Scale (SSS) tool and Healthy Work Environment (HWE) Assessment Tool, were used to collect data from a total of 519 eligible nurse-respondents from a government-owned and controlled corporate (GOCC) tertiary healthcare facility in the Philippines.

Results: Use of Pearson correlations revealed that the staff nurses scored high perceived levels of managerial support and reported having positive practice environments. This study highlighted that while SSS domains mostly show significant correlations on HWE essential standards, the HWE effective decision-making essential standard found no significant correlation with SSS being a reliable domain, r(517) = .063; p >.152, whereas the HWE authentic leadership essential standard showed non-significant relationships with both SSS domains, namely respects uniqueness, r(517) = .005, p > .990; and being reliable, r(517) = - .054, p > .220.

Conclusion: Creating practice environments where nurses are empowered by managerial support should be a priority for healthcare leaders as it is considered a critical factor in the provision of quality patient care, organizational success, and nursing workforce improvement.

Keywords: managerial support, supportive leadership, practice environment, work environment