Relationships between certification and job perceptions of oncology nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To explore relationships between oncology nursing certification and oncology nurses' job perceptions.


METHODS
Descriptive, correlational.


METHODS
Questionnaire mailed to homes of Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) members.


METHODS
703 certified and 514 noncertified ONS members (N = 1,217; 50% response rate).


METHODS
Data were collected using survey methods and grouped by respondents' certification status for statistical analysis.


METHODS
Certification, group cohesion, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction.


RESULTS
Certification was weakly correlated with cohesion, commitment, and satisfaction. Work setting, rather than certification, accounted for differences in job perceptions. Job perceptions were most positive in settings characterized by a high percentage of patients with cancer (> 75%), a high percentage of RNs (> or = 80%), and monetary support for continuing education.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis that oncology nurses' certification status is associated with job perceptions that are valued by employers was not supported.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses' job perceptions have been linked to control over nursing practice and participation in organizational and clinical decision making. Managerial strategies that empower certified nurses to practice with more autonomy and participate in decisions that affect patient care should be emphasized.
Hughes
L C
LC
School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA. lchughes@utmb.edu
Ward
S
S
Grindel
C G
CG
Coleman
E A
EA
Berry
D L
DL
Hinds
P S
PS
Oleske
D M
DM
Murphy
C M
CM
Frank-Stromborg
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002568:Certification; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States