The Relationship among Structure, Process, and Outcome Dimensions of Nursing Department in Hospitals

병원 간호조직의 구조, 과정, 결과적 차원의 관계

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship and the importance of relevant variables among structure, process, and outcome dimensions of nursing department in hospitals. The subject for this study was the registered nurses(N=400) working in medical, intensive care, and surgical units at 5 general hospitals with more than 500beds in Chungnam and Chungbuk. The research design was cross-sectional correlation among the variables based on their self description. The survey instrument was based on eleven structured questionnaires. The data were collected from April 26 to May 26, 1999. The SPSS/PC+ program and LISREL 8.12a program were used to analyze the data. Based on the data collected, the following results were obtained. The relationship among structural, procedural, and outcome dimensions 1. Structural dimension had a relationship with procedural dimension relating to decision-making of caregiving and working conditions, in particular, participation of the problem identification. 2. The extent of participation in decision-making had a relationship with organizational commitment and group effectiveness through the selection process among the total decision-making processes. 3. The structural dimension had a large direct effect rather than indirect effect through decision making processes on organizational commitment and group effectiveness. The relationship of structure, process, outcome dimensions was partially supported by this study. The information obtained from surveys in the field form the basis for the following recommendations for improving organizational effectiveness with in the nursing department in an hospitals. 1) Establishment of decentralized structure, environment, and culture in organizational settings would be desirable so that their members may actively participate in decision-making process. 2) Continuous education and training of nurses with theoretical Knowledge and skill of decision making, practical knowledge, and upright role perception should be highly emphasized for persons in nursing schools and in on-the-job training.