Relationship between Nurses’ Professional Autonomy and Their Caregiving Roles

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 9, 36 - 44, 24.11.2025

Selin Burgaz Kınas , Şebnem Bilgiç , Eylem Paslı Gürdoğan

https://doi.org/10.26650/CURARE.2025.1719196

Öz

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between nurses’ professional autonomy and their caregiving roles.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, including 291 nurses who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Attitude toward Professional Autonomy Scale for Nurses, and the Attitude Scale for Nurses’ Caregiving Roles. Descriptive statistics, comparative analyses, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were performed using SPSS version 22.0. A significance level of p<0.05 was set.

Results: The nurses who participated in the study had a mean age of 32.13 ± 6.92 years, and 82.1% were female. The mean the Attitude toward Professional Autonomy Scale for Nurses score was 78.31 ± 10.01, and the mean Attitude Scale for Nurses’ Caregiving Roles score was 70.43 ± 8.72. A moderate positive correlation was identified between professional autonomy and caregiving role attitudes (r = 0.483, p < 0.05). Professional autonomy was significantly associated with educational level, years of experience, and institutional support for autonomy. Gender, educational background, participation in professional development, ability to make autonomous decisions, and institutional support influenced caregiving role attitudes.

Conclusions: Nurses in this study exhibited high levels of professional autonomy and positive attitudes towards caregiving roles. Enhanced professional autonomy was associated with stronger caregiving role perceptions. The findings indicate that strengthening nurses’ professional autonomy may enhance the effectiveness of their caregiving roles. It is recommended to improve educational attainment, support professional development, and promote autonomous decision-making skills.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Nursing , Professional Autonomy , Caregiving Roles

Kaynakça

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