Views of the Israeli public on expanding the authority of nurses.

Aim: To explore the views of the Israeli public on expanding the authority of nurses and identify factors affecting these views.

Background: New advanced nursing roles are currently being introduced and nursing is undergoing dynamic change. Public views on expanding the authority of nurses and factors affecting public views await investigation.

Method: In a correlational study, a questionnaire was administered to 200 male and female Israelis aged 18 and older treated at a hospital or healthcare clinic at least once over the past year.

Results: Most respondents are in favour of expanding the authority of nurses, considered vital for patients. In addition, the public is in favour of certifying clinical nursing specialists in all fields. Influential factors were ethnicity, personal acquaintance with nurses, income and religiosity.

Conclusions: The public has a positive perception of expanding the authority of nurses, and major determinants are familiarity with nursing, ethnicity, income and religiosity.

Implications For Nursing Management: Understanding public views on expanding the authority of nurses in Israel will help policymakers adjust their actions according to social perceptions and needs. This will help nursing managers further the process of expanding nurse authority, to the satisfaction of both nurses and the public they serve.