Abstract
Objective: To assess nurses’ decision-making ability and determine the influence of various factors on decision-making in nursing practice in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. An online questionnaire was distributed among 500 nurses who met the eligibility criteria and received 465 completed questionnaires. Data were collected in November-December 2023. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Results: The median age of respondents was 38 years (range: 21-64 years); 32.5% held a bachelor's degree. Analysis of variance revealed an effect of age on knowledge of leadership and management (F=4.690; p=0.003) and on the ability to make accurate decisions (F=2.826; p=0.038). Respondents’ work experience influenced their level of knowledge of leadership and management in nursing (F=3.023; p=0.018). Conclusion: The study showed that age and work experience influence knowledge of nursing management and leadership, as well as the ability to make decisions in nursing practice while considering potential moral and ethical consequences. Keywords: Nursing practice, nursing leadership, decision-making, management, leadership competencies.