Collegiality, the Nursing Practice Environment, and Missed Nursing Care

Abstract

The practice environment of nurses has received attention in recent time related to a heightened awareness of the need for improved patient safety and an anticipated return of a nursing shortage. Existing literature has identified the presence and negative outcomes of unhealthy peer relationships among nurses, however; positive peer relationships (collegial) have received little attention in nursing research. This descriptive correlational study used data obtained through online survey methodology to describe the current state of collegiality among staff nurses working in the hospital setting and the relationship collegiality has to the nursing practice environment and missed nursing care. Collegiality levels were measured using the Survey of Collegial Communication (SCC). The overall mean score on the SCC was 3.2. The SCC is made up of eight components with the following mean scores: Confidence/Trust (3.24), Teamwork (3.49), Open Communication (3.26), Mutual Help (3.49), Mutual Support (3.13), Creativity (2.95), Freedom from Threat (2.79), and Friendliness and Enjoyment (3.34). The total scores on the SCC ranged from 40-196 with a mean of 128. No significant differences among personal and workplace characteristics and levels of collegiality were found. Collegiality among nurses and perceptions of the nursing practice environment were significantly correlated (r = .59, n = 525, p This study is the first large study to assess collegiality among bedside staff nurses, thus, these findings serve to establish a baseline for levels of collegiality among nurses. Major findings from this study indicate collegiality influences missed nursing care, as do other factors traditionally defined to make up the nursing practice environment. Thus, including the assessment of collegiality when assessing the nursing practice environment in future research is suggested.