Decision-making models in different fields of nursing.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the decision-making models used by nurses in different fields of nursing and to find out which variables explain the use of those models. The instrument for the project was developed on the basis of existing decision-making theories and earlier studies on nurses' decision making. The sample consisted of 483 Finnish nurses from five fields of nursing: long-term care, short-term medical-surgical care, critical care, health care, and psychiatric care. The statistical analyses consisted of factor analysis, factor scores, and correspondence analysis. Five different models of nursing decision making were identified. The nature of the nursing task and the nursing context showed associations with decision making on all models. The structure of knowledge and nurses' practical experience did not provide an explanation for nurses' decision making on any model.