Relationships among structural empowerment, innovative behaviour, self‐efficacy, and career success in nursing field in mainland China

Aim The purpose of the study is to explore the relationships among structural empowerment, innovative behaviour, self‐efficacy, and career success by nurses in mainland China. Method A cross‐sectional study was designed, and participants were recruited from 6 tertiary hospitals in Tianjin, China. The study used an anonymous questionnaire, filled voluntarily by 460 nurses in spring 2017. Structural equation modelling analyses were conducted. Results The results reveal that innovative behaviour is positively associated with career success and self‐efficacy, which, in turn, mediates the relationship between structural empowerment and career success. Structural empowerment is positively associated with innovative behaviour and career success. Self‐efficacy is positively associated with career success and mediates the relationship between innovative behaviour and career success. Conclusion Higher perceived structural empowerment, innovative behaviour, and self‐efficacy can increase career success of Chinese nurses. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about this topic? Nurses have multiple roles and responsibilities, which may increase the risk of burnout and job dissatisfaction due to the broad expectations. Empowerment is an important construct because it offers the potential to positively influence outcomes that benefit both individuals and organizations. High‐performance employees are created in an empowered organization, which increases organizational efficiency and productivity. What this paper adds? Support for Kanter's theory of structural empowerment in Chinese nurses. Structural empowerment has a positive effect on career success. In particular, access to resources and formal power has the most significant impact on career success. Understand the mediating role of self‐efficacy in the relationship between innovative behaviour and career success. The mediating role of innovative behaviour in the relationship between structural empowerment and career success. The implications of this paper: Future career development programmes for Chinese nurses should emphasize not only emotional labour issues but also empowerment and innovation strategies.