Implications for nurse administrators
These results offer strong support for the use of Kanters
theory in the newly-graduated nurse population as an
ideal framework to inform recruitment and retention
efforts. To increase perceptions of structural empowerment,
psychological empowerment, workplace civility
and organizational commitment, nurse administrators
need to find ways to create work environments that
support newly-graduated nurses as they begin their careers.
Newly-graduated nurses in the present study perceived
the greatest access to opportunity. As more
nurses across Canada are entering the workforce with a
university education, increased access to opportunities
for professional development and graduate study may
increase in value for this new cohort of employees, thus
fuelling the necessity for management to be flexible in
such pursuits. Allowing newly-graduated nurses the
opportunity to advance their academic repertoire while
maintaining their employment status presents an ideal
means to enhance the commitment of new members.
Providing tangible opportunities to make theorypractice
links is also suggested, as new graduates with
an academically infused, theoretical appreciation for
the professional role, may find it easier to integrate their
knowledge when such opportunities are visible.
Participants in this study also perceived a moderate
degree of access to resources. Given the autonomy of
the practising nurses role, providing newly-graduated
nurses with the resources they need to be successful
could likely go far in retaining new members. Ensuring
there are adequate numbers of nurses on hospital units,
along with the necessary support staff (personal support
workers and clerks) is also vital.
Newly-graduated nurses in the present study felt
moderate access to information. As novice nurses have
indicated a strong desire to be included in organizational
decision making, administrators would be wise
to consider increasing access to this structure as a
retention strategy. According to Boychuk-Duchscher
and Cowin (2004), todays new graduates assume they
will be included in the decision making that affects
patient care, political directions and fiscal management
of the organization. Thus, sharing authority with
novice nurses by allowing their involvement in matters
related to scheduling, staff meetings and committees