A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASESS NURSES' PERCEPTION OF THEIR AUTONOMY IN CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL, CHENNAI

Background: Autonomy is a fundamental pillar of professional nursing practice, directly influencing clinical judgment, job satisfaction, and patient outcomes. In the complex healthcare environment of Chennai, understanding how nurses perceive their independence in decisionmaking is vital for fostering professional empowerment and improving the quality of care. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to assess the level of perception regarding autonomy in clinical decision-making among nurses and to identify the association between these perceptions and selected demographic variables such as age, gender, qualification, and years of experience. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Using a convenience sampling technique, 100 registered nurses working in a selected hospital in Chennai were recruited. Data were collected using a structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaire consisting of 15 items designed to measure various dimensions of clinical autonomy. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA). Results: The findings revealed that the majority of the participants (55%) perceived a high level of autonomy, while 35% reported a moderate level, and 10% reported a low level. The mean score for perception was 58.4 (SD ± 6.2). Among demographic variables, years of experience showed a statistically significant association with autonomy perception ($p < 0.05$), with nurses having 6–10 years of experience scoring the highest. Factors such as age, gender, and educational qualification did not show a significant influence on the perception of autonomy. Conclusion: The study concludes that while a majority of nurses perceive their autonomy to be high, there remains a significant portion of the workforce that feels constrained by organizational hierarchies and hospital policies. Enhancing professional autonomy through mentorship programs and supportive administrative policies is recommended to further empower nurses in their clinical roles.