La autonomía en la práctica de enfermería

Abstract

Autonomy has been viewed as a key indicator of disciplinary professionalization. Nursing autonomy has been identified as an important variable that affects nurses’ perceptions of job satisfaction, positive professional practice environments, and quality nursing care. The assumption that a key feature of nursing autonomy is the exercise of independent judgment and practice was challenged in an interpretive study that explored how nurses understand autonomy in their everyday clinical practice and worklife. This paper describes the research project, and explores nurses’ emphasis on the relational features inherent in the exercise of autonomy in their clinical work. Their descriptions of relationships with physicians, nursing peers, and nurse managers offered ample instances whereby autonomous practice could be supported and enhanced. This paper will also discuss these possibilities for enabling nursing autonomy in relation to three key areas: generating practice environments that nurture clinical expertise and decision-making; enabling nurses to practice to the full scope of their education, experience, and competence; and fostering collaborative multidisciplinary practice.