Scale for the Environment Evaluation of Professional Nursing Practice: Construct validation

Abstract

Aim: Testing the validity and reliability of the Scale for the Environments Evaluation of Professional Nursing Practice (SEE-Nursing Practice).

Background: The environment of professional nursing practice is key to achieve better results for clients, nurses and institutions. Therefore, instruments enabling the assessment of all its attributes are required.

Method: Cross-sectional methodological study. The SEE-Nursing Practice, based on a previous qualitative study and literature review, was applied as a questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess construct validity.

Results: A total of 752 nurses participated in the study. Exploratory factor analysis of the SEE-Nursing Practice led to a factor solution with 93 items and three subscales. The Structure, Process and Outcome subscales, respectively, have 43, 37 and 13 items, loaded in 6 factors, 6 factors and 2 factors and explaining 62.6%, 59.2% and 67.4% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha of the overall scale and of the 3 subscales was greater than 0.90. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit.

Conclusion: SEE-Nursing Practice is a good valid and reliable instrument.

Implications for nursing management: The SEE-Nursing Practice enables assessing practice environments and is a tool for nursing managers in the definition of strategies ensuring favourable environments for nursing care quality.

Keywords: factor analysis; nursing; professional practice; statistical; validation study; working environment.