http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/services/Feed ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:10773 Aim: This aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of psychological empowerment and job satisfaction on the relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and nurses' perceptions of the quality of patient care they provide. Background: Studies of high-performing organizations in a variety of industries have consistently reported a positive relationship between HPWS and performance outcomes. Although many of these studies have been conducted in manufacturing, similar findings of a positive correlation between aspects of HPWS and improved patient outcomes have been reported in international health care studies. Method: We used regression analysis with tests of mediation and moderation to analyze survey responses collected in March 2008 of 201 nurses in a large regional Australian health service. Findings: Psychological empowerment fully mediated the relationship between HPWS and perceptions of quality of patient care. Job satisfaction moderated the relationship between HPWS and perceptions of quality of patient care. Conclusion: Hospital managers should focus on promoting HPWS and ensuring that nurse unit managers have the competencies to empower and to enhance the job satisfaction of their staff. 2012-05-08T03:50:07.718Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1379 The changing health care climate has resulted in escalating financial constraints. One department that is often scrutinized for its cost-benefit relation to the hospital is the nursing education department. These departments are increasingly being reduced in size and investment in the continuing education of nurses is being rationalized. However, reducing financial support of education may be counterproductive in both the short- and long-term. This article does not propose a "recipe" for effectively facilitating continuing education. However, it does provide sound justification for investing in the continuing education of nurses and demonstrates not only that quality education results in enhanced knowledge and skills, but that there is also a positive correlation between professional development and factors such as staff satisfaction, staff retention, and quality patient care. 2010-04-27T06:51:42.999Z ]]>