ORIGINAL ARTICLE
A comparison of middle managers' and paediatric nurses' satisfaction with organisational communication
Gemma Doleman RN, BSc(Hons), PhD,
Di Twigg RN, RM, PhD,
Sara Bayes RN, RM, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Gemma Doleman RN, BSc(Hons), PhD
Adjunct Research Fellow
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Centre for Nursing Research, Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
Correspondence
Gemma Doleman, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDi Twigg RN, RM, PhD
Dean of Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorSara Bayes RN, RM, PhD
Director, Midwifery Studies
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorGemma Doleman RN, BSc(Hons), PhD,
Di Twigg RN, RM, PhD,
Sara Bayes RN, RM, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Gemma Doleman RN, BSc(Hons), PhD
Adjunct Research Fellow
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Centre for Nursing Research, Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
Correspondence
Gemma Doleman, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDi Twigg RN, RM, PhD
Dean of Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorSara Bayes RN, RM, PhD
Director, Midwifery Studies
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information
This research received no specific grant from public agency, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. The only funds provided were in the way of PhD funding from the enrolled university.
Abstract
Aims
To explore the differences in organisational communication satisfaction between ward paediatric nurses and middle managers, and to assess whether there is a difference in organisational communication satisfaction between paediatric nurses and middle managers with different educational levels, years of nursing and managerial experience, contracted hours, area of work, age and gender.
Background
Previous studies reported a connection between job satisfaction, work commitment and organisational communication; however, nurses' and nursing middle managers' satisfaction with organisational communication has not been extensively studied in recent years and not at all among paediatric nurses.
Methods
A cross-sectional quantitative research design using online and hard copy self-reported questionnaires was used. Data were collected at one point in time from paediatric nurses and middle (nursing) managers working in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia. Statistical methods were employed for data analysis.
Results
The middle management group were significantly more dissatisfied with organisational communication than the paediatric ward nurse group. Middle managers were found in this study to effectively manage and maintain communication lines with the personnel who reported to them; however, communication within the management cohort itself was found to be suboptimal.
Conclusion
Further research to understand how horizontal and vertical communications at the nurse manager and executive level can be optimised is required.
Implications for nursing management
It is anticipated that the findings from this study may increase the understanding of communication satisfaction between paediatric nurses and middle managers. The study has highlighted the need for improvement with information flow in the management cohort with the addition of extra managerial support and empowerment.
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