Factors influencing nurses’ involvement in decision-making in Jordanian governmental hospitals: A cross-sectional study

Decision-making is a vital aspect of nursing, influenced by factors like experience and specialty. The aim of study to assess the perceived level of decision-making involvement among Jordanian nurses and identify influencing factors. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 major governmental hospitals in Jordan. A convenient sampling method was employed to recruit a total of 230 Jordanian nurses currently working in various departments within these hospitals. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire, specifically the Nursing Decision-Making Instrument (NDMI), which measures nurses' participation in clinical and organizational decision-making processes. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) to examine the relationship between selected demographic and professional variables (e.g., years of experience, educational level, and department) and the nurses' levels of involvement in decision-making. The sample's age ranged from 22 to 54 years (mean = 32.95), and nursing experience spanned 1 to 22 years (mean = 12.35). Nurses managed an average workload of 14.76 patients per shift. Decision-making scores, as measured by the nursing decision-making instrument, ranged from 61 to 92, with a mean score of 71.76. The majority of participants (86.5%) demonstrated a flexible decision-making orientation, while the remaining 13.5% exhibited a more intuitive or analytical style. Statistical analyses revealed significant positive correlations between decision-making scores and age (r = 0.283), total nursing experience (r = 0.371), and departmental experience (r = 0.246). In contrast, workload showed a significant negative correlation with decision-making scores (r = -.460), suggesting that higher patient loads may hinder effective participation in decision-making. The study highlights the need to strengthen nurses' involvement in decision-making in Jordan. Findings suggest that nursing education should place greater emphasis on building decision-making skills through both training and experience. Health policies should support nurses' roles in clinical decisions, while workload management such as improving nurse-to-patient ratios can enhance their ability to make effective decisions. Empowering nurses in these areas is essential for improving patient care and overall healthcare outcomes.