Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research1735-906625420200620273281ENDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranNursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran1.Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Life Style Institute, Faculty of Nursing, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Teheran, Iran,2.Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR IranDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCommunity Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran2020062020200620<p><strong>Background: </strong>Autonomy is the main element of professional practice in nursing. However, despite the</p><p>many studies conducted on nursing autonomy, this concept is not fully understood and a comprehensive</p><p>explanation of this concept in nursing is necessary. Meta‑synthesis offers a way to increase the</p><p>understanding of this concept using existing research findings. Thus, the present study aimed to</p><p>explain the concept of professional nursing autonomy.</p><p><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>This qualitative</p><p>meta‑synthesis was conducted based on a modified version of Noblit and Hare’s meta‑ethnography</p><p>approach and qualitative studies on the concept of nursing autonomy published in databases such</p><p>as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, SID, IranMedex, Magiran, and ScienceDirect in</p><p>the past 15 years (2003–2018).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen articles that reported the experiences of nurses</p><p>regarding professional autonomy were included in the research. Based on the meta‑synthesis of</p><p>findings, the final interpretation of the professional autonomy of clinical nurses was presented in the</p><p>three themes of professional competence, professional decision making, and professional interactions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>According to the results, the concept of professional autonomy is a developmental</p><p>achievement based on patient‑based professional competence along with self‑reliance to provide the</p><p>best care plan for the promotion of patients’ health through the professional decision making and</p><p>professional interactions with other professional team members.</p>http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/view/1721http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/download/1721/70707293