Nurse's Attitudes about Clinical Environment in Iran 2009

The work environment is a main contributing factor in nursing. This study investigated Iranian nurses’ attitude and point of views toward the clinical environment. In this descriptive cross sectional study a researcher-developed questionnaire was sent for a total of 1500 nurses from 20 provinces of Iran. Of these, 1160 were returned and useable for statistical analysis (response rate 77%). Sampling was simple random. Data were analyzed using description statistics. The study identified several areas of challenges in the nurses work environment. In clinical care field, more than half of nurses emphasized on imperative of interdisciplinary communication (61%), making decisions autonomously in the care (57%), acting on ethical values and positive professional relationships (60%). In professional nursing tasks, the majority nurses consulted to their colleagues about caring problems (85%), delivered care based on their patients’ needs and acted on evidence-based approach (80%). Only the time devoted to the students by the nurses was neglected (37%). Work environment issues are cornerstone of health care and need to be modified to improve nursing care. These findings could be redesigning a work environment that supports nurses in providing comprehensive professional care.