A qualitative exploration of how nurses experience autonomy in professional roles

Abstract

Background Autonomy 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. Methods This 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. Results The 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. Conclusion Nurses 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.