Closing the RN engagement gap: which drivers of engagement matter?

Objective: This study focused on the relationship between RNs' perceptions of drivers of engagement and their workplace engagement.

Background: In multiple studies, mostly not in healthcare, researchers found that employees engaged in their work are in the minority. This phenomenon is referred to as the engagement gap.

Methods: Drivers of engagement and levels of nurse engagement were measured among 510 RNs from a large urban academic university center.

Results: The greatest difference between engaged and not-engaged nurses was in the manager action index; the smallest difference was in the salary and benefits index. The passion-for-nursing index was the only significant driver related to RN levels of engagement when controlling for all the other drivers.

Conclusion: Nurse managers play a critical role in promoting employee engagement. The nurses' passion for nursing is an important dimension of engagement. Salary and benefits were not primary drivers in employee engagement.