G-2742

The Impact of Environmental Uncertainty on Nurses’ Cognitive Readiness for Change in Selected Hospitals Affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences

 Khatereh Mohammadi ¹ ℗, Azam Choopani ², Soudabeh Vatankhah ³ ©   

 
Abstract

Introduction: In the healthcare system, nurses serve as the cornerstone of service delivery and operate within dynamic environments filled with uncertainty. These conditions can influence their ability to accept and manage organizational changes. Cognitive readiness, as a key dimension of overall readiness for change, plays a critical role in understanding and adapting to organizational transformations. This study aimed to examine the relationship between environmental uncertainty and cognitive readiness for change among nurses working in selected hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences. 4. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024. The study population included 208 nurses working at Shahid Motahari and Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) Hospitals. Using simple random sampling and based on the Krejcie and Morgan table, 132 nurses were selected as participants. The data collection instruments included the Environmental Uncertainty Questionnaire developed by Allred et al. (1994) and the Readiness for Change Questionnaire by Dunham et al. (2023), both of which were validated for reliability and validity. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests in SPSS version 23. 5. Results: The mean score of environmental uncertainty was reported as 3.71, and demographic variables such as age, gender, and years of service had no significant effect on it. In terms of cognitive readiness for change, nurses with higher education and permanent employment status scored significantly higher. A positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between environmental uncertainty and cognitive readiness (r = 0.260, p = 0.003), indicating a modest yet noteworthy influence of uncertainty on nurses’ perception and acceptance of change. 6. Conclusion and Discussion: The findings suggest that environmental uncertainty can influence nurses’ cognitive readiness for embracing change. Enhancing cognitive skills through specialized training and fostering more stable work environments may help nurses better adapt to organizational transformations. These results highlight the necessity of designing educational and organizational interventions to mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty and promote cognitive readiness for change.

Keywords: Environmental uncertainty, Cognitive readiness, Nursing, Organizational change