Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Volume 15, Issue 1 (1-2025)
PCNM 2025, 15(1): 1-9 |
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Hatef F, Gheiasi S F, Amini K. Communication skills of head nurses and its relationship to work engagement and psychological distress of staff nurses in the Iranian context: An observational multicenter study. PCNM 2025; 15 (1) :1-9
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-932-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-932-en.html
Department of Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjn, Iran , korosh@zums.ac.ir
Abstract: (1313 Views)
Background: The communication skills of head nurses with staff nurses are critical to supporting the job functions and effectiveness of a staff nurse, which directly impacts quality patient care.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the communication skills of head nurses and its relationship to work engagement and psychological distress of nurses.
Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 264 nurses. Participants were included in the study using Stratified randomization. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the MayfIeid's Motivational Language Scale, the Schaufelis Work Engagement Scale, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale.
Results: The mean (SD) score of head nurses' communication skills is [66.92 (20.69) out of 120]. Work engagement scores were [30.17 (12.04) out of 54] and psychological distress of nurses in the moderate levels [25.15 (8.77) out of 50], respectively. The relationship between head nurse's communication skills with work engagement of nurses was positive (r=0.34, p<0.001) and negative with nurses' psychological distress (r= -0.26, p<0.001). There was also a significant and inverse relationship between work engagement and nurses' psychological distress (r = -0.43, p< 0.001). Regression analysis showed that head nurses' communication skills predicted 11.7% of nurses' work engagement and 6.7% of nurses' psychological distress.
Conclusion: The communication skills of head nurses were moderate from the nurse's perspective. However, these skills are associated with high levels of nurses' work engagement and less psychological distress. Therefore, it is necessary to plan to implement programs to increase head nurses' communication skills and thus improve the quality of nursing care in the study population.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the communication skills of head nurses and its relationship to work engagement and psychological distress of nurses.
Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 264 nurses. Participants were included in the study using Stratified randomization. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the MayfIeid's Motivational Language Scale, the Schaufelis Work Engagement Scale, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale.
Results: The mean (SD) score of head nurses' communication skills is [66.92 (20.69) out of 120]. Work engagement scores were [30.17 (12.04) out of 54] and psychological distress of nurses in the moderate levels [25.15 (8.77) out of 50], respectively. The relationship between head nurse's communication skills with work engagement of nurses was positive (r=0.34, p<0.001) and negative with nurses' psychological distress (r= -0.26, p<0.001). There was also a significant and inverse relationship between work engagement and nurses' psychological distress (r = -0.43, p< 0.001). Regression analysis showed that head nurses' communication skills predicted 11.7% of nurses' work engagement and 6.7% of nurses' psychological distress.
Conclusion: The communication skills of head nurses were moderate from the nurse's perspective. However, these skills are associated with high levels of nurses' work engagement and less psychological distress. Therefore, it is necessary to plan to implement programs to increase head nurses' communication skills and thus improve the quality of nursing care in the study population.
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Knowlege Translation Statement
Audience: Nursing managers, hospital administrators, and health policy makers.
This study demonstrates that the communication skills of nurse managers, specifically in direction-giving, empathy, and meaning-making, are directly linked to higher work engagement and lower psychological distress among their nursing staff. Investing in targeted communication training for nursing leaders is therefore not merely a soft-skill initiative but a crucial strategy for enhancing workforce well-being and organizational performance in high-stress clinical environments.
Knowlege Translation Statement
Audience: Nursing managers, hospital administrators, and health policy makers.
This study demonstrates that the communication skills of nurse managers, specifically in direction-giving, empathy, and meaning-making, are directly linked to higher work engagement and lower psychological distress among their nursing staff. Investing in targeted communication training for nursing leaders is therefore not merely a soft-skill initiative but a crucial strategy for enhancing workforce well-being and organizational performance in high-stress clinical environments.
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
Nursing
Received: 2024/11/19 | Accepted: 2024/12/30 | Published: 2025/01/29
Received: 2024/11/19 | Accepted: 2024/12/30 | Published: 2025/01/29
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