75 Correlational study of perceived organizational empowerment and reported assertive communication skills among saudi newly graduated nurses

Abstract

Background Being empowered and able to speak up against unsafe practice are key high-caliber skills for building a patient safety- oriented nursing workforce. There is little evidence in the literature that examines these two skills in the context of Saudi newly graduated nurses. The aim of this study was to examine Saudi newly graduated nurses’ perceptions of organizational empowerment and of speaking up against perceived unsafe practice. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used. 143 questionnaires were distributed to Saudi newly graduated nurses from five publicly funded hospitals in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. The nurses’ level of perceived organizational empowerment was assessed using the Condition of Work Effectiveness (CWEQ-II) questionnaire and their Speaking up Scale attitudes were assessed using four clinically challenging hypothetical scenarios. Results 83 newly graduated nurses (58%) completed the questionnaire. The nurses reported a moderate level of both perceived empowerment and willingness to speak up against unsafe practice. There was a statistically significant correlation (r=0.24, p Conclusion The findings underscore the need for supporting newly qualified nurses in developing their perceived empowerment and assertive communication skills. Nurse managers, educators, and peers must consider practical strategies to help build and sustain newly qualified nurses’ perceived work empowerment and level of assertiveness. Further testing of the CWEQ-II and the Speaking up Scales is needed to fully establish the psychometric properties and reliabilities of these scales among the Saudi nursing workforce.