The Impact of Leadership in the Autonomy and Engagement of Nurses: A Cross-sectional Multicenter Study Among Nurses Outside the United States

Abstract

Objective: To add to the body of evidence regarding nurse engagement and related factors from a non-US sample of nurses.

Background: Leadership has a positive impact on nurses' autonomy and engagement experiences. It is necessary to explore the factors that explain the relationships between leadership, autonomy, and engagement level.

Methods: Nurses (n = 4393) from 9 hospitals participated in a survey in March 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify engagement and autonomy predictors.

Results: Of the respondents, 9% were engaged, 28% content, 29% ambivalent, and 34% disengaged. Respondents' separate background variables were not significant predictors in multivariate models, whereas the leadership- and autonomy-related variables were.

Conclusions: A manager's responsiveness, an organization's readiness to follow nurse suggestions for performance improvement, and receiving recognition and regular feedback promote engagement. Furthermore, engagement is enhanced when nurses have an active role in decision-making and their contributions are respected. Visible nurse managers and leaders who are effective advocates for nurses strengthen nurses' autonomy.