THE EFFECT OF A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MODEL ON STAFF NURSE PERCEPTIONOF WORK GROUPS AND NURSE LEADERS

Objective: The objective of the study was to measure the effect of an enhanced professional practice model on perception of work groups and nurse leaders. Background: Previous studies of staff nurse perception of work environment and nurse leaders were used to guide development o f the professional practice model and the selection of variables. Impl ementation of the model was expected to result in more favorable perce ptions of the work group and a desire for facilitative leadership styl e. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to compare change ove r time in five hospitals-an urban medical center, two community hospit als, and two rural hospitals. Findings: Introduction of the model resu lted in more favorable perceptions about the work group and a desire f or a more facilitative nurse leader. Conclusion: Change in perception of work group and leader rather than job satisfaction may be an early indication of favorable outcome of planned change. Changes in nurse sa tisfaction may be a late outcome, which may be the reason findings fro m previous studies are mixed.