Mediating Effects of Role Clarity between Clinical Decision-Making Abilities and Job Stress for Advanced Practice Nurses at Tertiary Hospitals

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effect of role clarity in the relationship between clinical decision-making abilities and job stress among advanced practice nurses at tertiary hospitals.Methods : The participants were 137 advanced practice nurses. The assessment tools were clinical decisionmaking in nursing scale, role ambiguity scale, and Korean occupational stress scale (KOSS-26). Data were analyzed with the SPSS/24.0 program and mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny methods.Results : There were significant relationships between clinical decision-making abilities and job stress (r=-.33, <i>p</i><.001), and role clarity and job stress (r=-.29, <i>p</i>=.001). Role clarity showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between clinical decision-making abilities and job stress (Z=2.02, <i>p</i>=.043).Conclusion : Therefore, to reduce advanced practice nurses’ job stress, it is necessary to develop a program and strategies to increase their clinical decision-making abilities.