Whilst autonomy is valued by nurses, this does not translate to isolation or independence. Autonomy is only a source
of satisfaction when coupled with supportive and cohesive professional relationships with both nursing and medical
colleagues. Organisations implementing advanced nursing roles must have a comprehensive understanding of the
requirements of nursing autonomy to ensure effective role implementation and associated job satisfaction. These
findings add impetus to the need for the development of nursing education programs tailored specifically to primary
health care.