Objective:

This study aims to validate the Portuguese version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) and assess construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study validates the psychometric properties of the PES-NWI in Portugal. Exploratory factorial analysis is used to analyze the psychometric properties of the PES-NWI in a sample of 5,075 Portuguese nurses; the data sample covers all geographic regions in the country. Confirmatory factor analysis is performed to confirm the model’s data adequacy.

Results:

Factorial analysis explained 54.6 % of the variance and a five-dimension structure. The five factors identified were Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs, Nurse Manager Ability, Leadership and Support of Nurses, Nursing Foundations for Quality of Care, Staffing and Resource Adequacy, and Nurse-Physician Relations. The confirmatory analysis showed that the five-factor model fit well with the data in the Portuguese context.

Conclusion:

In a Portuguese health context, the PES-NWI is a valid scale to access the nursing environment and improve working conditions.

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