Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41382127›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

A qualitative exploration of how nurses experience autonomy in professional roles.

Gizem Açıkgöz, Ülkü Baykal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Gizem AçıkgözNursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul Kent University, Cendere Street No:24, Kâğıthane/İstanbul, 34406, Türkiye. gzmacikgoz@gmail.com.
Ülkü BaykalNursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Altınbaş University, Mahmutbey, Dilmenler Street No:26, Bağcılar/İstanbul, 34217, Türkiye.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAutonomy in nursing refers to the ability to make independent decisions in professional practice, in accordance with fundamental principles, practice standards, and legal regulations. Although autonomy has been widely studied for many years, little is known about how it is experienced within the framework of specific professional roles. Focusing on roles provides a more concrete reflection of clinical practice and offers unique insights that extend beyond general definitions of autonomy.

methodsThis qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with 17 nurses working in different hospital settings. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling to ensure diversity. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews. Analysis followed Colaizzi’s seven-stage content analysis method, supported by MAXQDA software, and was guided by the COREQ checklist to enhance rigor.

resultsThe analysis revealed four themes: professional autonomy, professional autonomy in nursing, individual professional autonomy, and nursing role autonomy. Professional autonomy was found to be closely linked to professional regulations, professionalism, independence, and responsibility. While both positive and negative factors influenced their autonomy, many aspects were identified as areas with potential for improvement. Nurses demonstrated varying levels of autonomous behavior across different professional roles.

conclusionNurses show considerable awareness of professional autonomy, yet their practice is shaped by both internal and external factors. They sustain and strengthen their autonomy through professional collaboration, reflective practice, and continuous learning, while systemic support from health managers and policymakers is also required to establish enabling structures. These findings highlight role-based autonomy as a critical dimension of nursing practice, with implications for professional development, organizational management, and health policy.”

trial registrationNot applicable.

Indexed as

Autonomy in nursingNursing practiceNursing rolesPhenomenologyProfessional autonomyQualitative study

Identifiers

PMID41382127
PMCPMC12801859

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.