The mediating effects of structural empowerment on job satisfaction for nurses in long-term care facilities

Aims The purpose of this study was to explore the mediating effects of work empowerment on job satisfaction for nurses in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Background Previous research has noted that job satisfaction is an important factor that reflects upon the work environment and the characteristics of the job itself. It is important to link work empowerment to job satisfaction among nurses. Methods This research study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 65 nurses participated in the study. Regression models and Sobel tests were fitted to evaluate the relationship between work empowerment and job satisfaction. Results Structural empowerment mediated the effects of psychological empowerment on job satisfaction (standardized β=0.46, Sobel test: z=2.69, P=0.007). Conclusions Both psychological and structural empowerment positively correlated with job satisfaction among nurses in long-term care facilities. The structural empowerment had a mediating effect on job satisfaction. Implications for nursing management The managers of long-term care facilities should create an empowering work environment for nurses by providing them with available resources and by involving them in the developmental goals of the facilities. The critical structural components of an empowered workplace can contribute to the psychological empowerment of nurses and increase their job satisfaction.