Work Settings Utilizing the S.C.O.R.E Model on the Psychological Empowerment of Hospital Nurses in Cebu City

Abstract

Amid rising demands in healthcare systems, nurse empowerment has emerged as a critical factor in promoting resilience, job satisfaction, and quality patient outcomes. This study assesses the relationship between structural work environment factors—specifically those measured by the S.C.O.R.E. (Safety, Communication, Operational Reliability, and Engagement) framework—and the psychological empowerment of hospital nurses in Cebu City. Anchored in Kanter’s Structural Empowerment Theory (1977, 1993) and Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment Theory (1995), the research assessed how workplace conditions and psychosocial variables influence nurses’ perceptions of meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact in their roles. Utilizing a correlational predictive design, findings revealed that while respondents perceived the overall work environment positively, particularly in safety, communication, and operational reliability, their psychological empowerment levels was high—especially in meaning, self-determination, and impact, with only competence rated moderately. Notably, teamwork climate, job-related uncertainty, and participation in decision-making were identified as significant predictors of psychological empowerment. The results suggest that structural support alone does not guarantee empowerment unless internalized as meaningful by individuals. The study recommends targeted interventions in nursing practice, education, policy, and research to align organizational structures with personal empowerment experiences, ultimately enhancing nurse satisfaction, retention, and patient care quality.