Autonomous competences and quality of professional life of paediatric nurses in primary care, their relationship and associated factors: A cross‐sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the autonomous competences and quality of professional life of paediatric nurses in primary care, their relationship and possible associated factors. BACKGROUND: The autonomous competences of paediatric nurses vary among healthcare providers in Catalonia, Spain. Autonomy is related to quality of professional life, but little is known about autonomous competences and other factors contributing to paediatric nurses’ quality of professional life. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study following the STROBE statement. METHODS: Data from 206 paediatric primary care nurses were analysed. A self‐administered survey consisting of an ad hoc questionnaire and a validated instrument to measure quality of professional life (QPL‐35 questionnaire) was conducted. Descriptive, bivariate and general multivariate regression analyses were used to identify the relationship between autonomous competences and quality of professional life, and its predicting factors. RESULTS: 47.6% nurses reported a medium level of autonomous competences, 46.6% a high level, and 5.8% a low level. Quality of professional life was medium‐high for the domains perception of managerial support and global perception of workload and for the item disconnect from work after work shift, and very high and high values for the domain intrinsic motivation and for the item quality of work life, respectively. Autonomous competences and perceived autonomy were factors associated with quality of professional life. Other associated factors were academic background, specific training and being a paediatric nurse specialist. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric nurses in primary care have a medium‐high level of autonomous competences and they perceive a high level of autonomy. Autonomous competences and level of perceived autonomy are predictors of quality of professional life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Enhancing paediatric nurses’ autonomous competences and academic background, receiving specific training and being paediatric nurse specialists might improve their quality of professional life, healthcare quality and outcomes for the child population.