WORK ENVIRONMENT A Profile of the Social Climate of Nursing Faculty IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING

Results from the Moos Work Environment Scale (WES) showed real and expected scores to be congruent in seven of 10 social climate subscales, and faculty perceived a positive social climate.

Abstract

Abstract This descriptive study was designed to assess the perception of nursing faculty regarding their work environment at a small liberal arts college in the Pacific Northwest (N = 31). Results from the Moos Work Environment Scale (WES) showed real and expected scores to be congruent in seven of 10 social climate subscales. Involvement, co-worker cohesion, supervisor support, autonomy, task orientation, clarity, and innovation were rated high. Incongruities occurred in work pressure, physical comfort, and managerial control. Overall, faculty perceived a positive social climate. Findings were helpful in identifying areas of strength and weakness within an organization and provided baseline data that will serve as a foundation for future work environment studies. The WES was a useful instrument for measuring the social climate of nursing faculty in this setting.