Professional Autonomy Among Nurses and Its Effect on Quality of Care Among Patients Transferred from Intensive Care Unit to General Unit

Background: Professional autonomy is crucial for nurses, enabling them to make independent decisions and enhance patient care quality. Its impact on patient satisfaction, particularly in ICU settings, is significant but underexplored in Balochistan, Pakistan.Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of professional autonomy among ICU nurses and its association with patient satisfaction regarding nursing care quality.Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 274 ICU nurses and 304 patients in tertiary care hospitals across Balochistan. Data were collected using the Dempster Practice Behaviors Scale and the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing Chi-square tests and Pearson’s correlation to examine associations and correlations.Results: Most nurses (78.8%) exhibited moderate professional autonomy, with significant associations with gender (p=0.006), education (p=0.008), and experience (p=0.002). Patient satisfaction was low in 51.8% of cases, with a strong correlation between professional autonomy and patient satisfaction (r=0.823, p<0.001).Conclusion: The study highlighted the need to enhance nurse autonomy to improve patient satisfaction. Empowering nurses could lead to better patient outcomes in ICU settings.