Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Degree
Fall 2011
Degree Name
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Degree In
Educational Policy and Leadership Studies
First Advisor
Lelia B. Helms
Second Advisor
Alan B. Henkin
Abstract
Healthcare organizational stability rests on organizational commitment. This study adds to the literature that demonstrates the mediating effects of empowerment on organizational commitment in a long understudied population of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) employed full time. Organizational commitment encourages extra role behaviors, paramount in times of decreasing resources such as that facing all sectors of national health care. A 45-item work environment survey was distributed to all registered LPNs employed full time in one state (N = 5486) and 1164 (21%) responded. Data revealed that empowerment is associated with LPN organizational commitment and mediates effects of organizational conflict and trust on commitment to the organization. Further empowerment and organizational climate, especially organizational conflict and trust, matter to full-time LPNs. Results contribute to initial knowledge about linkages to organizational commitment among lower educated and less skilled nurses and have implications for managers in healthcare settings who employ full-time LPNs. LPNs may be more highly valued by scholars in nursing if LPN-sensitive research shows their continued value and cost effectiveness for specific and important organizational outcomes, especially in light of the growing geriatric population that will require increasingly chronic and routine care. As bedside RNs become more highly educated, they may increasingly disdain employment that involves the repetitive, low-risk patient care that LPNs currently provide. There is a real need to better understand the current work environment of those employees responsible for delivering low-risk repetitive healthcare to chronically ill and elderly patients. LPNs are key among those.
Keywords
conflict, empowerment, licensed practical nurses, organizational commitment, trust
Pages
viii, 177 pages
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 158-177).
Copyright
Copyright 2011 Mary B Carman - Tobin