title: The relationship between nurse practice environment, nurse work characteristics, burnout and job outcome and quality of nursing care: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the mechanisms through which nurse practice environment dimensions are associated with job outcomes and nurse-assessed quality of care. Mediating variables tested included nurse work characteristics of workload, social capital, decision latitude, as well as burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Acute care hospitals face daily challenges to their efforts to achieve nurse workforce stability, safety, and quality of care. A body of knowledge shows a favourably rated nurse practice environment as an important condition for better nurse and patient outcome variables; however, further research initiatives are imperative for a clear understanding to support and guide the practice community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Grounded on previous empirical findings, a structural equation model designed with valid measurement instruments was tested. The study population was registered acute care nurses (N=1201) in two independent hospitals and one hospital group with six hospitals in Belgium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurse practice environment dimensions predicted job outcome variables and nurse ratings of quality of care. Analyses were consistent with features of nurses' work characteristics including perceived workload, decision latitude, and social capital, as well as three dimension of burnout playing mediating roles between nurse practice environment and outcomes. A revised model adjusted using various fit measures explained 52% and 47% of job outcomes and nurse-assessed quality of care, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study refines understanding of the relationship between aspects of nursing practice in order to achieve favourable nursing outcomes and offers important concepts for managers to track in their daily work. The findings of this study indicate that it is important for clinicians and leaders to consider how nurses are involved in decision-making about care processes and tracking outcomes of care and whether they are able to work with physicians, superiors, peers, and subordinates in a trusting environment based on shared values. The involvement of nurse managers at the unit level is especially critical because of associations with nurse work characteristics such as decision latitude and social capital and outcome variables. Further practice and research initiatives to support nurses' involvement in decision-making process and interdisciplinary teamwork are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Nursing, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium. Electronic address: peter.vanbogaert@ua.ac.be.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Bogaert
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Susan Mace
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Heusden
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000592:standards*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011787:Quality of Health Care
keywords: Burnout; Job satisfaction; Nurse practice environment; Nurse retention; Quality of care; Structural equation modelling