Examining the Cultural Measurement Equivalence of the Practice Environment Scale - Nursing Work Index

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the cultural measurement equivalence of the Practice Environment Scale – Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) between two groups, registered nurses (RN) reporting as Asian/Pacific Islander and White/Non-Hispanic. The nursing workforce is becoming diverse with the passing of time. This may lead to complexities of measurement in samples that are diverse. Undertaking intricate methods in determining cultural measurement equivalence of instruments would enhance reliability of pooled results of samples composed of various races and ethnicities and allow for cross cultural comparison. This secondary data analysis was derived from data collected by the National Database of Nursing Quality IndicatorsTM (NDNQI®). NDNQI® is the largest repository of its kind and collects data reflecting the nursing workforce. Data from the PES-NWI, RN characteristics, unit characteristics, and hospital characteristics encompassed the overall dataset. The study was a descriptive design with psychometric evaluation at the individual level that integrated case matching of participants. The analysis of the secondary data consisted of evaluating differing group responses to the PES-NWI, measurement invariance (configural, weak, and strong invariance) testing, and validity testing of the PES-NWI. Invariance testing was conducted by using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. Validity testing consisted of a known group approach, Magnet® status vs. non-magnet status (independent t-test) of the subscale means within each group. Registered nurses reporting as Asian/Pacific Islander responded to the PES-NWI more favorably than registered nurses reporting as White/Non-Hispanic. There was noted adequate model fit of the PES-NWI in both individual groups and the PES-NWI demonstrated cultural measurement equivalence (measurement invariance). The PES-NWI was found to be valid in registered nurses reporting as White/Non-Hispanic. The majority of the subscales were statistically significantly different except for two subscales addressing hospital affairs and nurse managers. This study adds to the existing knowledge regarding the psychometrics of the PES-NWI and allows for cross cultural comparisons of the latent factors between registered nurses reporting White/Non-Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander. Caution should be taken when evaluating cross cultural comparison results regarding the two subscales, hospital affairs and nurse manager.