The relationship between hospital work environment and nurse outcomes in Guangdong, China: a nurse questionnaire survey

Development of burnout and moral distress in intensive care nurses: An integrative literature review

AIMS

To describe, through an integrative literature review, the factors contributing to the development of burnout and moral distress in nursing professionals working in intensive care units and to identify the assessment tools used most frequently to assess burnout and moral distress.

METHODS

An integrative literature review was carried out. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SciELO, Dialnet, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were reviewed from January 2012 to February 2023. Additionally, snowball sampling was used. The results were analysed by using integrative synthesis, as proposed by Whittemore et al., the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for literature reviews, the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines for quantitative observational studies, and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for qualitative research were used to evaluate evidence quality.

RESULTS

Forty-one articles were selected for review: 36 were cross-sectional descriptive articles, and five were literature reviews. The articles were grouped into five-factor categories: 1) personal factors, 2) organisational factors, 3) labour relations factors, 4) end-of-life care factors, and 5) factors related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and the Moral Distress Survey-Revised instruments were the most commonly used to measure burnout and moral distress.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the multiple personal, organisational, relational, situational, and end-of-life factors promoting burnout and moral distress among critical care nurses. Interventions in these areas are necessary to achieve nurses' job satisfaction and retention while improving nurses' quality of care.

Nursing categories' perceptions of the practice environment and quality of care in North West Province: a cross-sectional survey design

BACKGROUND

There is a substantial amount of literature on the perception of the practice environment and quality of care as perceived by registered nurses and community services nurses in South Africa and worldwide, but there is little to no research that could be found regarding other categories of nurses, and how these perceptions differ between the different categories. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the different nursing categories' perceptions of the practice environment and quality of care and the association between the variables.

METHODS

This study applied a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected in April 2021 in the public sector of the North West Province. Multiphase sampling was applied to all categories of nurses who worked in an in-patient unit in the selected hospital for at least 3 months (n = 236).

RESULTS

All nursing categories perceived the practice environment as negative, regarding nurse participation in hospital affairs; nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses and staffing and resource adequacy. Perceived quality of care and patient safety items were perceived as neutral and good. However, in all instances, the perceptions of community service nurses and registered nurses were most negative, and enrolled nurse assistants most positive. Adverse events towards patients and nurses were perceived to only occur a few times a year. Overall, nurse perceptions of quality of care and patient safety were most correlated with the subscale of nurse foundations of quality of care and nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses. Adverse events towards patients were most correlated with the collegial nurse-physician relationship subscale, while adverse events towards nurses were correlated with the foundations of quality of care subscale.

CONCLUSION

Improving the practice environment, especially regarding the subscale nurse foundations of quality of care and nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses, is associated with improved quality of care. Nurses with higher qualifications, registered nurses and community service nurses rated quality of care lower than other categories of nurses, contributing to literature that higher qualified staff are more competent to assess the practice environment and quality of care.

Nurse perceptions of practice environment, quality of care and patient safety across four hospital levels within the public health sector of South Africa

Improving the practice environment, quality of care and patient safety are global health priorities. In South Africa, quality of care and patient safety are among the top goals of the National Department of Health; nevertheless, empirical data regarding the condition of the nursing practice environment, quality of care and patient safety in public hospitals is lacking.AimThis study examined nurses' perceptions of the practice environment, quality of care and patient safety across four hospital levels (central, tertiary, provincial and district) within the public health sector of South Africa.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey design. We used multi-phase sampling to recruit all categories of nursing staff from central (n = 408), tertiary (n = 254), provincial (n = 401) and district (n = 244 [large n = 81; medium n = 83 and small n = 80]) public hospitals in all nine provinces of South Africa. After ethical approval, a self-reported questionnaire with subscales on the practice environment, quality of care and patient safety was administered. Data was collected from April 2021 to June 2022, with a response rate of 43.1%. ANOVA type Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) was used to present the differences in nurses' perceptions across four hospital levels.ResultsNurses rated the overall practice environment as poor (M = 2.46; SD = 0.65), especially with regard to the subscales of nurse participation in hospital affairs (M = 2.22; SD = 0.76), staffing and resource adequacy (M = 2.23; SD = 0.80), and nurse leadership, management, and support of nurses (M = 2.39; SD = 0.81). One-fifth (19.59%; n = 248) of nurses rated the overall grade of patient safety in their units as poor or failing, and more than one third (38.45%; n = 486) reported that the quality of care delivered to patient was fair or poor. Statistical and practical significant results indicated that central hospitals most often presented more positive perceptions of the practice environment, quality of care and patient safety, while small district hospitals often presented the most negative. The practice environment was most highly correlated with quality of care and patient safety outcomes.ConclusionThere is a need to strengthen compliance with existing policies that enhance quality of care and patient safety. This includes the need to create positive practice environments in all public hospitals, but with an increased focus on smaller hospital settings.

Reducing sickness absence among public-sector healthcare employees: the difference-making roles of managerial and employee participation

PURPOSE

Evaluations of organizational-level interventions to prevent work-related illness have identified enabling factors, but knowledge of necessary and sufficient conditions for intervention success is needed. The aim was to identify difference-making factors that distinguish intervention groups with and without a positive intervention effect on sickness absence.

METHODS

An organizational-level intervention designed to decrease sickness absence by providing support from process facilitators was implemented at eight healthcare workplaces in Sweden between 2017 and 2018. We applied coincidence analysis (CNA) to analyze 34 factors and determine which factors were necessary and sufficient for a successful implementation of tailored interventional measures on an organizational level (dichotomous) and reduced sickness absence (trichotomous).

RESULTS

Two factors perfectly explained both the presence and absence of a successful implementation: "a high sense of urgency" and "good anchoring and participation from the strategic management". The presence of either of these factors alone was sufficient for successful implementation, whereas the joint absence of both conditions was necessary and sufficient for the absence of successful implementation and an intervention effect. In addition, high employee participation was both necessary and sufficient for a high intervention effect. For organizations without high employee participation, successful implementation led to a medium-effect size.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified participation as a difference-maker in the implementation process. Participation from different stakeholders turned out to be important in different phases. When implementing organizational-level interventions, high participation from both strategic management and employees appears to be crucial in terms of the intervention's effect on sickness absence.

Evolution of an Instrument: Measuring the Nursing Work Environment: A Scoping Review

Background and Purpose: The Nursing Work Index (NWI) was developed in the 1980s to measure the nursing work environment (NWE). Instruments descended from the NWI continue to measure the NWE today. The purpose of this review was to identify instruments derived from the NWI, examine how they have been used and revised, and evaluate their ability to capture elements of the current work environment. Methods: A scoping literature review. Results: Forty articles were included. Instruments developed from the NWI have been translated into numerous languages and administered to hundreds of thousands of nurses globally. Conclusions: The study of the NWE remains extensive throughout the world. Future research should examine the factorial structure of instrument adaptions and ensure that items are relevant to contemporary nursing practice.

Fatigue in nurses and medication administration errors: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Medication administration errors (MAEs) cause preventable patient harm and cost billions of dollars from already-strained healthcare budgets. An emerging factor contributing to these errors is nurse fatigue. Given medication administration is the most frequent clinical task nurses undertake; it is vital to understand how fatigue impacts MAEs.

OBJECTIVE

Examine the evidence on the effect of fatigue on MAEs and near misses by registered nurses working in hospital settings.

METHOD

Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework was used to guide this review and PAGER framework for data extraction and analysis. The PRISMA checklist was completed. Four electronic databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO. Eligibility criteria included primary peer review papers published in English Language with no date/time limiters applied. The search was completed in August 2021 and focussed on articles that included: (a) registered nurses in hospital settings, (b) MAEs, (c) measures of sleep, hours of work, or fatigue.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight studies were included in the review. 82% of the studies identified fatigue to be a contributing factor in MAEs and near misses (NMs). Fatigue is associated with reduced cognitive performance and lack of attention and vigilance. It is associated with poor nursing performance and decreased patient safety. Components of shift work, such as disruption to the circadian rhythm and overtime work, were identified as contributing factors. However, there was marked heterogeneity in strategies for measuring fatigue within the included studies.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Fatigue is a multidimensional concept that has the capacity to impact nurses' performance when engaged in medication administration. Nurses are susceptible to fatigue due to work characteristics such as nightwork, overtime and the requirement to perform cognitively demanding tasks. The mixed results found within this review indicate that larger scale studies are needed with particular emphasis on the impact of overtime work. Policy around safe working hours need to be re-evaluated and fatigue management systems put in place to ensure delivery of safe and quality patient care.

Translations of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index: A systematic review

Since 2002, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index has been used worldwide to evaluate nurse work environments. High quality translations in different languages can help advance science and inform practice globally. The study purposes were to conduct a systematic review of published translations of the instrument and to assess their linguistic equivalence and psychometric performance. We conducted a comprehensive search, a quality assessment and synthesis of linguistic equivalence, reliability, and validity data. Studies published through July 2021 were identified in the CINAHL, LILACS, EMCare, and Scopus databases. Thirty-eight publications were selected, comprising 46 translations into 24 languages and 15 language variants, and 35 countries. Translations are in predominantly European, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern languages. Two-thirds of the translations reflected medium to high fulfillment of translation quality criteria. The GRADE ratings, reflecting satisfactory fulfillment of cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric properties, were predominantly high (n = 23), then low (n = 15), then moderate (n = 8). The identified translations will support the advancement of global science and the improvement of nurses' work environments.

Safeguarding the retention of nurses: A systematic review on determinants of nurse's intentions to stay

AIM

To explore factors that influence registered nurses' intention to stay working in the healthcare sector.

DESIGN

A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

METHODS

CINAHL, Medline and Cochrane library databases were searched from Jan 2010 to Jan 2022 inclusive and research selected using a structured criterion, quality appraisal and data extraction and synthesis were guided by Campbell's Synthesis Without Meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies identified that nurses stay if they have job satisfaction and/or if they are committed to their organizations. The factors permeating these constructs weigh differently through generations and while not an infallible explanation, demonstrate stark differences in workplace needs by age, which influence the intention to stay, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and ultimately nurse turnover.

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Environmental, relational and individual factors have bearing on improving nurse satisfaction and commitment. Understanding why nurses stay through a generational behavioural and career stage lens can bolster safeguarding nurse retention.

Current situation and influencing factors of the nursing practice environment in five tertiary general hospitals in Shenzhen: a cross-sectional study

Objective

This study investigates the current situation and influencing factors of the nursing practice environment in Shenzhen, China, and provides suggestions for improving it.

Background

Nursing shortage is an urgent global problem and also of concern in China. Studies have shown that better work environments are related to high job satisfaction and better patient outcomes.

Methods

The 37-item Practice Environment Scale was used to assess the nursing practice environment. Respondents were 1116 nurses from five general tertiary hospitals in Shenzhen.

Results

The mean satisfaction score for the nursing practice environment was 3.63 ± 0.72 (where 5 is the highest possible score). Position, being a specialist nurse, choice of nursing major, educational attainment, and night shifts significantly affected nurses' working environment satisfaction.

Conclusion

The practice environment of nurses was satisfactory. We recommend reducing the workload and encouraging nurses to complete specialist training, and supporting nurses to expand their roles in hospitals and society to improve the nursing practice environment.

Working environment of nurses in public referral hospitals of West Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021

Background

Healthy working environment for nurses is a foundation for promoting patients’ and nurses’ safety in hospitals. However, in Ethiopia, there is scarcity of data on this issue. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the working environment of nurses in Public Referral Hospitals in Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods

An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 nurses from January to February 2021. Systematic random sampling was used to select nurses from each hospital. Structured, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. EPI- DATA and SPSS were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Frequency, percentages, and means were calculated. Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index tool was used to measure the outcome variable. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify associated factors. Finally, texts, tables and graphs were used to report findings.

Results

The response rate for the study was 96.2%. Around 210 (51.6%) of the study participants were male. One hundred eighty eight (46.2%) nurses reported that their working environment was healthy, while 219 (53.8%,) reported it as not healthy. Nurses who were working in pediatrics wards (AOR = 0.13, 0.02, 0.1) and nurses who gave care for 7–12 patients per day (AOR = 0.21, 0.05, 0.98) were less likely to have a healthy working environment, respectively. Nurses who reported the Ministry of Health to give focus to the nursing profession were 73% more likely to have a healthy work environment (AOR = 0.27; 0.09, .82).

Conclusion

and recommendations.

More than half of nurses reported that their working environment was not healthy to appropriate practice. Hence, introducing systems to improve participation of nurses in hospital affairs and patient care is essential. It is also important to give attention to nurses who are working at pediatrics wards, and for nurses who give care more than the standards.

Changes over 10 years in the nursing workforce in Guangdong province, China: Three-wave multisite surveys

AIMS

The study aimed to describe the changes in the nursing workforce in 2008-2018 in Guangdong province, China.

BACKGROUND

A strong nursing workforce is important in the development of the health care system in China. However, whether the nursing workforce in China has improved is underexplored.

METHODS

Three waves of surveys were conducted in hospitals in Guangdong province, China, in 2008, 2014 and 2018.

FINDINGS

The proportion of less experienced nurses and nurses holding a bachelor's degree has increased. The hospital nurse-to-patient ratio did not change significantly. The work environment deteriorated from 2008 to 2014 and improved from 2014 to 2018. Nurse-perceived staffing adequacy and nurses participating in hospital administration were scored lowest. The nurse-physician relations declined from 2008 to 2018. Nurse satisfaction, retention and quality of care improved, while reduced personal accomplishment deteriorated.

CONCLUSION

The nursing workforce in Guangdong province, China, is young and highly educated. Nurse outcomes and quality of care have made progress from 2008 to 2018. Nurse staffing and burnout remain matters of concern.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Strategies addressing nursing workforce issues in China include dealing with the nursing shortage, establishing pathways for nurses' participation in decision-making, increasing nurses' income and welfare, promoting recognition of nurses and improving the quality of care.

Nurses’ views of fundamental relational skills used in clinical practice: a cross-sectional pilot study

Objective

Effective communication skills are one of the core competencies of nursing curricula internationally. Nurses are generally regarded as proficient. Despite our complete trust in the profession, deficiencies and gaps exist. However, it is not clear to which extent nurses use key communication skills in practice, and whether or not confident in using these skills compounds environmental issues that occur. This study explored nurse's confidence and application of relational skills competencies in nursing practice.

Methods

A 13-item online survey was used to collect data.

Results

Being self-aware on key areas where there was more uncertainty. Nurses also lacked confidence in exploring the impact of their personal feelings and values on their interactions. Nurses were also less confident on responding appropriately to instances of unsafe or unprofessional practice and using information and communication systems and technology.

Conclusions

Given the potential impact of poor relational skills on quality client care, an increased emphasis on caring and compassion, and the ever-expanding use of communication technologies, there is a need to explore the need for reflective practice to enhance continuous professional development for nurses to enhance their relational skills.

A Concept Analysis of Quality Nursing Care

PURPOSE

This study aimed to perform a concept analysis of quality nursing care.

METHODS

Walker and Avant's concept analysis method was used to carry out this study.

RESULTS

The defining attributes identified were as follows: caring, the nurse-patient relationship, and patient needs. Antecedents included patient characteristics, individual factors (age, education, knowledge, competence, and experience), job position, and environmental factors. The consequences of quality nursing care have significant influence on both patients and nurses.

CONCLUSION

The findings can aid researchers in obtaining a better understanding of quality nursing care, and stakeholders can consider the factors related to quality nursing care and its consequences to improve the nursing process.

Predictors of Nurse-Reported Quality of Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Korea

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate predictors of nurse-reported quality of care (NQoC) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Korea.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study participants were 217 NICU nurses working in four tertiary general hospitals and three general hospitals across South Korea. Data were collected in February 2019, when a survey was performed to measure nurse-related characteristics, intent to leave, job satisfaction, and NQoC. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, and hierarchical logistic regression on the SPSS WIN 26.0 program.

RESULTS

Approximately 53% of NICU nurses perceived good quality of care. NICU work experience of less than 2 years and 2 to 4 years were associated with increased odds of good NQoC in all regression models. Perceived adequacy of nurse staffing level was significantly associated with increased odds of good NQoC in model 2 (OR 4.90, 95% CI: 1.75-13.70), model 3 (OR 5.01, 95% CI: 1.73-14.50), and model 4 (OR 3.96, 95% CI: 1.29-12.12). Moreover, in model 3, intent to leave was associated with decreased odds of good NQoC (OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.21-0.71), and job satisfaction was associated with increased odds of good NQoC (OR 5.41, 95% CI: 2.74-10.67) in model 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses' NICU work experience, adequate nurse staffing level, no intent to leave, and job satisfaction were predictors of good NQoC among NICU nurses.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

Improvement of nurse staffing levels and job satisfaction is a promising strategy to achieve good quality of care in NICUs.

Effect of Ethical Leadership on Moral Sensitivity in Chinese Nurses: A Multilevel Structural Equation Model

To explore the relationship between ethical leadership (a contextual factor at the higher organizational level) and nurses' moral sensitivity (the individual outcome at a lower level), a cross-sectional quantitative study design was used. Participants were 525 nurses at 65 various departments in public tertiary hospitals. These results showed that ethical climate played a mediating role in the relationship between ethical leadership and nurses' moral sensitivity. Moreover, nurses' employment type moderated the mediating effect of ethical leadership on their moral sensitivity. Additionally, the link between ethical climate and moral sensitivity of contract nurses was stronger than that of nurses employed by the state.

Capacity building of healthcare workers: Key step towards elimination of viral hepatitis in developing countries

BACKGROUND

Lack of awareness about viral hepatitis (VH) potentially predisposes the healthcare workers (HCWs) to a higher risk of infection and may in turn increase the risk of transmission of the infection to their families and in the community. Thus, combating VH, requires adequate and updated training to the HCWs. With this objective, Project PRAKASH designed a meticulously planned training program, aimed to assess the effect of a one-day training on VH among in-service nurses.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

The content and schedule of scientific sessions of the training program were decided by subject experts to improve knowledge, attitude and practice(KAP) related to VH among in-service nurses. A 54-item questionnaire divided into four domains: Transmission and Risk Factors; Prevention; Treatment; Pathophysiology and Disease Progression were used to assess the KAP related to VH. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic details, knowledge(30-items), attitude(12-items) and practice(12-itmes) with a total score of 30, 60 and 24 respectively in each section. The pre-post knowledge assessment was done and impact assessment survey was undertaken among the participants who completed six months post-training period. Paired-t-test was used to assess the effect of training on knowledge using SPSSv-22.

RESULTS

A total of 5253 HCWs were trained through 32 one-day trainings, however data for 4474 HCWs was included in final pre-post knowledge analysis after removing the missing/incomplete data. Mean age of participants was 33.7±8.4 with median experience of 8(IQR: 3-13). Mean improvement in knowledge score was found to be significant (p<0.001) with mean knowledge score of 19.3±4.4 in pre-test and 25.7±3.9 in the post-test out of 30. Impact assessment survey suggested change in attitude and practice of HCWs.

CONCLUSION

The one-day training programs helped the in-service nurses to enhance their knowledge related to viral hepatitis. The study provided a roadmap to combating viral hepatitis through health education among HCWs about viral hepatitis.

Caregiver burden among informal caregivers of hospitalized patients with frailty: A cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to investigate the status of caregiver burden among informal caregivers of hospitalized frail older patients and explore the associated factors. A total of 191 frail older patients and their informal caregivers were recruited from the inpatient units of the three teaching hospitals. We collected data using the FRAIL scale, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. We used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression for the data analysis. The caregivers of hospitalized frail older patients experienced a moderate caregiver burden (26.476±11.289). The regression model for caregiver burden was significant. Male caregivers, taking care of patients before hospitalization, experiencing negative emotions, and negative coping styles were significantly associated with caregiver burden, F (7, 183) = 15.13, p <. 001. The findings suggest that early identification of caregiver burden and focused interventions for alleviating caregiver burden are needed.

Arbeitszufriedenheit und Burnout in der präklinischen Notfallversorgung

Hintergrund

Einsätze unter unterschiedlichen und erschwerten Bedingungen können Burnout-Werte für Mitarbeiter im Rettungsdienst erhöhen. Zufriedenheit am Arbeitsplatz wird als Faktor gesehen, der im Zusammenhang mit erhöhten Burnout-Werten steht.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziele waren die Untersuchung der Arbeitszufriedenheit und des Burnout-Syndroms bei nichtärztlichen Mitarbeitern im Rettungsdienst sowie die Analyse des Zusammenhangs zwischen hohen Burnout-Werten und Faktoren der Zufriedenheit.

Material und Methoden

Mittels eines Onlinefragebogens wurden Mitarbeiter zu Arbeitszufriedenheit und Aspekten, die das Erleben des Burnouts messen, befragt. Einer deskriptiven Auswertung folgte eine Zusammenhangsanalyse zwischen Arbeitszufriedenheit und einzelnen Burnout-Dimensionen (emotionale Erschöpfung [EE] und Depersonalisierung [DP]) mittels binärer logistischer Regressionen.

Ergebnisse

In die Analyse wurden 1082 Fragebögen einbezogen. Die Majorität der Studienteilnehmer war männlich, jünger als 40 Jahre und in Vollzeit tätig. In den Dimensionen EE und DP wiesen 26,2 % bzw. 40,0 % der Befragten hohe Burnout-Werte auf. Zwischen 17,7 % und 75,9 % der Befragten waren mit einzelnen Aspekten des Arbeitsplatzes unzufrieden (z. B. Flexibilität des Dienstplans, Fortbildungsurlaub, Gehalt, beruflicher Status). Die Zufriedenheit mit dem beruflichen Status und der Berufswahl ist signifikant mit niedrigeren Burnout-Werten in den Dimensionen EE und DP assoziiert.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Notwendigkeit einer Verbesserung der Arbeitsbedingungen. Die negative Assoziation zwischen der Zufriedenheit mit dem beruflichen Status sowie der Berufswahl und Burnout-Werten sollte die Diskussion über Strategien zur Anerkennung der Berufe aus gesellschaftlicher Sicht noch stärker anstoßen.

Methodological approach for measuring the effects of organisational-level interventions on employee withdrawal behaviour

Background

Theoretical frameworks have recommended organisational-level interventions to decrease employee withdrawal behaviours such as sickness absence and employee turnover. However, evaluation of such interventions has produced inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to investigate if mixed-effects models in combination with time series analysis, process evaluation, and reference group comparisons could be used for evaluating the effects of an organisational-level intervention on employee withdrawal behaviour.

Methods

Monthly data on employee withdrawal behaviours (sickness absence, employee turnover, employment rate, and unpaid leave) were collected for 58 consecutive months (before and after the intervention) for intervention and reference groups. In total, eight intervention groups with a total of 1600 employees participated in the intervention. Process evaluation data were collected by process facilitators from the intervention team. Overall intervention effects were assessed using mixed-effects models with an AR (1) covariance structure for the repeated measurements and time as fixed effect. Intervention effects for each intervention group were assessed using time series analysis. Finally, results were compared descriptively with data from process evaluation and reference groups to disentangle the organisational-level intervention effects from other simultaneous effects.

Results

All measures of employee withdrawal behaviour indicated statistically significant time trends and seasonal variability. Applying these methods to an organisational-level intervention resulted in an overall decrease in employee withdrawal behaviour. Meanwhile, the intervention effects varied greatly between intervention groups, highlighting the need to perform analyses at multiple levels to obtain a full understanding. Results also indicated that possible delayed intervention effects must be considered and that data from process evaluation and reference group comparisons were vital for disentangling the intervention effects from other simultaneous effects.

Conclusions

When analysing the effects of an intervention, time trends, seasonal variability, and other changes in the work environment must be considered. The use of mixed-effects models in combination with time series analysis, process evaluation, and reference groups is a promising way to improve the evaluation of organisational-level interventions that can easily be adopted by others.

Factors Associated With Psychological Distress in Health-Care Workers During an Infectious Disease Outbreak: A Rapid Systematic Review of the Evidence

Objective: Health-care workers (HCW) are at risk for psychological distress during an infectious disease outbreak, such as the coronavirus pandemic, due to the demands of dealing with a public health emergency. This rapid systematic review examined the factors associated with psychological distress among HCW during an outbreak. Method: We systematically reviewed literature on the factors associated with psychological distress (demographic characteristics, occupational, social, psychological, and infection-related factors) in HCW during an outbreak (COVID-19, SARS, MERS, H1N1, H7N9, and Ebola). Four electronic databases were searched (2000 to 15 November 2020) for relevant peer-reviewed research according to a pre-registered protocol. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify fixed, modifiable, and infection-related factors linked to distress and psychiatric morbidity. Results: From the 4,621 records identified, 138 with data from 143,246 HCW in 139 studies were included. All but two studies were cross-sectional. The majority of the studies were conducted during COVID-19 (k = 107, N = 34,334) and SARS (k = 21, N = 18,096). Consistent evidence indicated that being female, a nurse, experiencing stigma, maladaptive coping, having contact or risk of contact with infected patients, and experiencing quarantine, were risk factors for psychological distress among HCW. Personal and organizational social support, perceiving control, positive work attitudes, sufficient information about the outbreak and proper protection, training, and resources, were associated with less psychological distress. Conclusions: This review highlights the key factors to the identify HCW who are most at risk for psychological distress during an outbreak and modifying factors to reduce distress and improve resilience. Recommendations are that HCW at risk for increased distress receive early interventions and ongoing monitoring because there is evidence that HCW distress can persist for up to 3 years after an outbreak. Further research needs to track the associations of risk and resilience factors with distress over time and the extent to which certain factors are inter-related and contribute to sustained or transient distress.

Effects of Optimism on Work Satisfaction Among Nurses: A Mediation Model Through Work-Family Conflict

Background: Nurses are suffering from various stressors which adversely impact their work satisfaction and mental health. Research is scarce on optimism, one of the positive psychological resource which may reduce work-family conflict and improve work satisfaction. Objectives: This study aims to assess work satisfaction among Chinese nurses and to observe and illustrate the relationships among optimism, work-family conflict, and work satisfaction. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study with stratified sampling. From September 2019 to December 2020, a self-administered WeChat questionnaire was collected from 768 nurses online in China to evaluate the nurses' work satisfaction, optimism, and work-family conflict. Spearman correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were applied to examine associated factors of work satisfaction. A structural equation model was employed to test the mediating effect of work-family conflict in the relationship between optimism and work satisfaction. Results: Optimism were observed to have a positive correlation with work satisfaction while the correlation between work-family conflict and work satisfaction was observed to be negative. Optimism and work-family conflict explained 4.8 and 9.2% of the incremental variances of work satisfaction, respectively. Work-family conflict served as a mediator in the relationship between optimism and work satisfaction. Conclusions: Nurses in China experienced high levels of work satisfaction. Optimism could increase the chance of higher work satisfaction while work-family conflict increased the risk of lower work satisfaction. Psychological interventions and improvement of working conditions are essential to relieve work-family conflicts and enhance work satisfaction.

Relationship between nurse practice environment and work outcomes: A survey study in the Philippines

AIMS

Challenges in the nurse practice environment greatly affect nurse work outcomes. This study investigated the relationship between nurse practice environment and work outcomes in the Philippines.

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey involved 549 hospital nurses in the Philippines in 2018. The nurse practice environment was measured using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). Four self-report scales were used to measure work outcomes: job satisfaction, job burnout, job stress and nurse-assessed quality of care. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Significant relationships were found between nurse and organizational characteristics and nurse practice environment. Further, multivariate regression analysis revealed that the nurse practice environment had a significant and positive relationship with perceived quality of care and a significant and negative relationship with job burnout and job stress.

CONCLUSION

A favourable work environment significantly reduced job burnout and job stress and improved the quality of patient care. With considerable migration abroad, a favourable nurse practice environment may engage a better nurse workforce in the country and subsequently reduce migration. Managers must focus on developing good nurse practice environments that will improve professional work outcomes and quality patient care.

Nursing shortage, a different challenge in Iran: A systematic review

Background: Nursing shortage is an important and multifaceted challenge in the health systems and has reached a warning threshold. The factors associated with nursing shortage vary from country to country. Therefore, this study compared the causes of nursing shortage and suggested strategies to help resolve this concern both in Iran and in the world.

Methods: To conduct this systematic review, search was done in English and Persian databases from 2000 to 2016. In the preliminary review, 537 articles were included in the study. After reviewing the titles, abstracts, objectives, and results of articles, 32 studies were finalized.

Results: The important causes of nursing shortage in the world included aging of the nursing workforce, inadequate admission and training of nurses, aging population, and job abandonment. However, the leading causes in Iran were unwillingness and lack of desire to enter and remain in the nursing field, job abandonment, inadequate salaries, low social status, and negative perception of nursing. Proposed strategies in the world are increasing the salaries, redesigning the work environment, improving the public’s perspective, retaining the existing nursing workforce, and flexible work schedules. In Iran, these strategies include increasing salaries and recruitment, enhancing the public’s perception of nursing, and supporting nursing organizations.

Conclusion: Nursing shortage is a multifaceted concept with varying magnitudes in different countries. Therefore, the strategies to resolve nursing shortage should be based on the unique conditions of each country. The most important strategies to overcome nursing shortage in Iran are focused on the improving the retention of existing nursing workforce.

Registered nurses' perceptions of factors influencing nursing care quality: A structural equation modeling study

Cambodia, like many other countries, is working to raise nursing care standards, including improving nurse work environments and nurse education. This descriptive, cross-sectional study examined the factors influencing nursing care quality among 375 registered nurses from 12 government hospitals in Cambodia. The conceptual framework was modified from the Nurse Work Environment, Nurse Staffing, and Outcome Model, and five questionnaires were used. The hypothesized model fitted the empirical data and explained 12% of the variance in nursing care quality. Structural equation modeling revealed that nurse work satisfaction negatively affected nursing care quality, while the nurse practice environment and burnout had no effect. Nurse staffing had a positive direct effect on nurse work satisfaction, while nurse work satisfaction did not directly affect burnout. The results indicate that the highest impacting factors influencing nursing care quality were nurse work satisfaction and the indirect effect of nurse staffing on nursing care quality. Therefore, leaders and policymakers in government, health systems, and nursing across the country need to consider these results to enhance nursing care quality.

A Web-based Survey of Marital Quality and Job Satisfaction among Chinese Nurses

PURPOSE

This study aimed to use a web-based survey to investigate the correlation between job satisfaction and marital quality and to identify the association of demographics with job satisfaction and marital quality.

METHODS

Married nurses (N = 2,296) completed the questionnaires. Correlations and linear regression analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

Both marital quality and job satisfaction were relatively low. Additionally, marital quality was positively correlated with job satisfaction. Age, marital status (in years) and average daily hours spent with spouse had positive impact on job satisfaction. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that age, monthly income, average daily hours spent with spouse and marital quality were positively associated with job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Because of the shifts nurses working, there is little time for nurses to spend with their spouses and family. It is recommended that hospital leaders could provide more flexibility with nurses' shift choices so nurses can arrange their work-life balance better. Other considerations like reducing workload and reducing working hours should be promoted as options. Nurse managers could offer counseling services including strategies to cope with the balance between work and life. This effort could improve job satisfaction and reduce the rate of turnover of nurses.

Impact of Job Demands and Resources on Nurses' Burnout and Occupational Turnover Intention Towards an Age-Moderated Mediation Model for the Nursing Profession

This longitudinal study among Registered Nurses has four purposes: (1) to investigate whether emotional, quantitative and physical demands, and family-work conflict have a negative impact on nurses' perceived effort; (2) to investigate whether quality of leadership, developmental opportunities, and social support from supervisors and colleagues have a positive impact on meaning of work; (3) to investigate whether burnout from the combined impact of perceived effort and meaning of work mediates the relationship with occupational turnover intention; and (4) whether the relationships in our overall hypothesized framework are moderated by age (nurses categorized under 40 years versus ≥ 40 years old). In line with our expectations, emotional, quantitative, and physical demands, plus family-work conflict appeared to increase levels of perceived effort. Quality of leadership, developmental opportunities, and social support from supervisors and colleagues increased the meaning of work levels. In addition, increased perceived stress resulted in higher burnout levels, while increased meaning of work resulted in decreased burnout levels. Finally, higher burnout levels appeared to lead to a higher occupational turnover intention. Obviously, a nursing workforce that is in good physical and psychological condition is only conceivable when health care managers protect the employability of their nursing staff, and when there is a dual responsibility for a sustainable workforce. Additionally, thorough attention for the character of job demands and job resources according to nurses' age category is necessary in creating meaningful management interventions.

A Meta-Analysis of the Associations Between the Nurse Work Environment in Hospitals and 4 Sets of Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The nurse work environment is theorized to influence the quality of nursing care, nurse job outcomes, and patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate quantitatively the association of the work environment with job and health outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Relevant studies published through September 2018 were identified. Inclusion criteria were use of a nationally endorsed work environment measure and reporting of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals from regression models of 4 outcome classes: nurse job outcomes, safety and quality ratings, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Pooled ORs and confidence intervals were estimated for each outcome using fixed or random effects models.

SUBJECTS

Of 308 articles reviewed, 40 met inclusion criteria. After excluding 23 due to sample overlap or too few observations to meta-analyze, a set of 17 articles, comprising 21 independent samples, was analyzed. Cumulatively, these articles reported data from 2677 hospitals, 141 nursing units, 165,024 nurses, and 1,368,420 patients, in 22 countries.

MEASURES

Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, a National Quality Forum nursing care performance standard.

RESULTS

Consistent, significant associations between the work environment and all outcome classes were identified. Better work environments were associated with lower odds of negative nurse outcomes (average OR of 0.71), poor safety or quality ratings (average OR of 0.65), and negative patient outcomes (average OR of 0.93), but higher odds of patient satisfaction (OR of 1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

The nurse work environment warrants attention to promote health care quality, safety, and patient and clinician well-being.

Nurse Burnout Revisited: A Comparison of Computational Methods

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To examine computational measures of job-related burnout to determine the best computation to estimate job satisfaction and intent to leave in Brazilian nursing professionals.

METHODS

Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used assess burnout in 452 hospital-based nursing professionals. Adjusted logistic regression models were fit using different computations of burnout to estimate outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

Total mean score of burnout subscales was the best estimate of job satisfaction (Cox-Snell R² = 0.312; Nagelkerke R² = 0.450) and intent to leave (Cox-Snell R² = 0.156; Nagelkerke R² = 0.300), as was high emotional exhaustion (Cox-Snell R² = 0.219; Nagelkerke R² = 0.316).

CONCLUSION

We have provided evidence that different computations of data from the Portuguese (Brazil) MBI-HSS can be used in to estimate the effect of job-related burnout on nurse outcomes.

Ethical climate and service behaviours in nurses: The moderating role of employment type

AIM

To explore the relationship between ethical climate (EC) and nurses' service behaviours (SB) and examine the moderating effect of nurses' employment type.

BACKGROUND

As most public hospitals in China implement the "dual-track system" of nurses' employment, the two different types of nurses, contract-employed nurses and state-employed nurses, receive the different pay for the same work, which results in they providing different SB. It has become critical for hospital administrators and nursing managers to understand better the state of two groups of nurses and to find an effective method to improve the service level of the nursing workforce.

DESIGN

Stepwise multiple regression analyses of survey data collected in June and July 2017 from Chinese nurses employed in three tertiary hospitals.

METHODS

Chinese nurses (298 of 350 [85.1%]) were interviewed using the Ethical Climate Scale and Nurses' Service Behaviour Scale. Data were analysed statistically using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation coefficients (Pearson), two-tailed t-test and stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Data were analysed using SPSS and AMOS.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant correlations between EC and nurses' extra-role service behaviour (ERSB) and overall service behaviour and nurses' employment type moderated the proposed relationships.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare institutions should pay more attention to cultivate EC and implement new incentive mechanism to better stimulate nurses to provide ERSB.

Impact of Coping Strategies on Nurses' Well-Being and Practice

OBJECTIVES

To examine the mechanisms of coping strategies on nurses' psychological well-being, practice environments and safety attitudes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the results. Five hundred clinical nurses were randomly selected from a large group of 1,500 from a medical center with 1,350 beds in Taipei, Taiwan, from July to October 2015. Self-report questionnaires were administered to measure coping strategies (Brief COPE), psychological well-being (Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale), nurses' practice environments (Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index), and safety attitudes (Safety Attitudes Questionnaire).

RESULTS

Of the 500 participants who gave written consent, 474 (94.8%) filled out the questionnaire. Results showed that using more approach-oriented coping strategies and fewer avoidant coping strategies was associated with greater psychological well-being. Psychological well-being was directly associated with quality of nurses' practice environments and safety attitudes. The impact of psychological well-being on safety attitudes was mediated significantly by the quality of the practice environment. The use of approach-oriented coping strategies was significantly predictive of positive psychological well-being, a good practice environment, and good safety attitudes.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study found a distinct pathway for the relationships between clinical nurses' psychological well-being, practice environment, and safety attitudes. Psychological well-being in clinical nurses was higher for those with more approach-oriented coping strategies. Psychological well-being directly impacted safety attitudes, which mediated nurses' practice environments. The practical implications of the results suggest that interventions designed to promote positive psychological well-being may help improve nurses' practice environments, which, in turn, may result in better safety attitudes and nursing care outcomes.

Nursing work environment, value congruence and their relationships with nurses' work outcomes

AIMS

To explore the relationships between work environment, value congruence and nurses' work outcomes; as well as to test the moderating effects of value congruence.

BACKGROUND

A poor nursing work environment in most of mainland China has negatively influenced nurses' job satisfaction, burnout and turnover intention. New insights such as improving nurses' value congruence should be proposed to better foster nurses.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were selected from the Chinese Nurses' Environment of Work Status study. In total, 19149 valid samples were collected. Hierarchical regression analyses and simple slope analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficients of the variables were all significant (p < .01) and in the expected direction. Value congruence moderated the relationship between nursing work environment and burnout (emotional exhaustion: β = 0.106, p < .01; depersonalization: β = 0.111, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing work environment and value congruence were positively related to job satisfaction, and negatively related to burnout and turnover intention. The adverse impact of poor work environment on nurses' burnout can be buffered if nurses' value congruence is compatible with that of the organisation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Except for improving the organisational characteristics, value congruence is a useful concept that managers can leverage to improve positive outcomes for both the organisation and its nurses.

The effects of emotional labor and competency on job satisfaction in nurses of China: A nationwide cross-sectional survey

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the status of job satisfaction, emotional labour, core competencies and job stress and the associations of emotional labour and core competencies with the job satisfaction of nurses in China.

Methods

Data were collected by using a self-designed general information questionnaire, a job satisfaction questionnaire (McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale), a nurse emotional labour questionnaire, the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses questionnaire, and a nurse job stressor questionnaire. A total of 13,448 nurses from 92 hospitals across mainland of China were surveyed, and 11,337 respondents (84.3% response rate) completed the questionnaires.

Results

The survey results indicated that Chinese nurses had average job satisfaction (24.77 ± 5.23), moderate job stress (86.84 ± 21.12), moderate to high emotional labour experiences (55.08 ± 9.63) and high competency (195.77 ± 37.61). Multiple linear regression indicated that surface acting was negatively correlated with job satisfaction (P < 0.01), while deep acting (P < 0.01) and nurses’ core competence (P < 0.01) were positively associated with job satisfaction. Besides, The results also indicated job stress, geographical distribution, hospital category, gender, work shift, only children, parenting status, monthly salary, nursing experience, professional title, hospital area were the influencing factors of job satisfaction (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The improvement of the emotional labour and competency of nurses may help enhance their job satisfaction.

Evidence on Nurse Staffing Ratios and Patient Outcomes in a Low-Income Country: Implications for Future Research and Practice

BACKGROUND

Conclusive evidence on the effect of nurse staffing ratios on nurse-sensitive outcomes (NSOs) has not yet been achieved worldwide.

AIMS

To describe the relationship between nurse staffing and NSOs at a Magnet designated, university hospital a low-income country.

METHODS

A 48-month prospective study assessed the relationship between nurse staffing and six patient outcomes or NSOs in medical-surgical units and critical care units (CCUs). Nurse staffing was measured by nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) and skill mix, whereas NSOs were total falls and injury falls per 1,000 patient days, percent of surveyed patients with hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) per 1,000 central line days.

RESULTS

The odds for total falls, injury falls, HAPI, and CLABSI in the medical-surgical units were higher with lower NHPPD ratios, OR = 4.67, p = .000; OR = 4.33, p = .001; OR = 3.77, p = .004 and OR = 2.61, p = .006, respectively. For the CCUs, lower rates of NHPPD increased the odds for total falls, OR = 6.25, p = .0007, HAPIs OR = 3.91, p = .001 and CLABSI, OR = 4.78, p = .000. Skill mix was associated with total falls, OR = 2.40, p = .005 and HAPIs OR = 2.07, p = .03 in the medical-surgical units but had no effect in any NSOs in the CCUs.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Higher rates of nurses per patient were effective in improving some NSOs but not others. Skill mix had no effect on any of the six NSOs in the CCUs. As such, the results remain inconclusive as the benefits of the higher nurse to patient ratios in this low-income country warranting further multisite studies in different settings and countries.

Communication With Physicians as a Mediator in the Relationship Between the Nursing Work Environment and Select Nurse Outcomes in Jordan

PURPOSE

To test whether communication mediated relationships among nurses' work environments and nurse outcomes of job satisfaction and intent to stay.

DESIGN

This study used a cross-sectional, quantitative survey design to query 650 nurses who worked in three hospitals in Jordan.

METHODS

We used Arabic versions of valid, reliable instruments measuring the nursing work environment, nurse perceptions of communication with physicians, intent to stay, and job satisfaction. Mediation analysis was used to test hypotheses.

FINDINGS

A total of 582 questionnaires were returned (89.5% response rate). Nurse perceptions of communication with physicians mediated the relationship between the nursing work environment and job satisfaction in medical, surgical, and critical care units. Nurse perceptions of communication with physicians mediated the relationship between the nursing work environment and intent to stay in all but maternity and "other" units.

CONCLUSIONS

Depending on the nurse outcome, communication was a significant mediator for various unit types. These results may be related to the type of work that is done in each unit and the influence of patient care. Communication is one of many mechanisms that can specify how a positive nursing work environment can contribute to nurses' job satisfaction and intent to stay.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A potential solution to the nursing shortage in Jordan emerges by identifying communication with physicians as a mediator in the relationship between the work environment and selected nurse outcomes.

Reliability and validity of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index for Japanese hospital nurses

AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) for hospital nurses in Japan.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional mail survey.

METHODS

Participants in this study were 1,219 full-time ward nurses from 27 hospitals in Japan, using 31 items of the Japanese version of the PES-NWI questionnaire, from December 2008-March 2009. Construct validity, criterion-related validity and internal consistency of the PES-NWI were tested.

RESULTS

The PES-NWI showed reliable internal consistency. The five-factor structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The PES-NWI correlated significantly with job satisfaction, burnout and the nurses' intention to stay on the job, supporting criterion-related validity.

When east meets west: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to evidence-based practice in Hunan China

Background

Research into evidence-based practice has been extensively explored in nursing and there is strong recognition that the organizational context influences implementation. A range of barriers has been identified; however, the research has predominantly taken place in Western cultures, and there is little information about factors that influence evidence-based practice in China. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to evidence-based practice in Hunan province, a less developed region in China.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative methodology was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff nurses, head nurses and directors (n = 13). Interviews were translated into English and verified for accuracy by two bilingual researchers. Both Chinese and English data were simultaneously analyzed for themes related to factors related to the evidence to be implemented (Innovation), nurses’ attitudes and beliefs (Potential Adopters), and the organizational setting (Practice Environment).

Results

Barriers included lack of available evidence in Chinese, nurses’ lack of understanding of what evidence-based practice means, and fear that patients will be angry about receiving care that is perceived as non-traditional. Nurses believed evidence-based practice was to be used when clinical problems arose, and not as a routine way to practice. Facilitators included leadership support and the pervasiveness of web based social network services such as Baidu (百度) for easy access to information.

Conclusion

While several parallels to previous research were found, our study adds to the knowledge base about factors related to evidence-based practice in different contextual settings. Findings are important for international comparisons to develop strategies for nurses to provide evidence-based care.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12912-018-0295-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The associations of occupational hazards and injuries with work environments and overtime for nurses in China

Occupational hazards (OHs) and occupational injuries (OIs) may contribute to nurses needing sick time and to a high financial burden for hospitals. There is little published literature about nurse-reported OHs/OIs and their relationships with work environments and working overtime in China. This study was designed to describe Chinese hospital registered nurses' OHs/OIs and to explore the associations between work environments, working overtime, and nurse-reported OHs/OIs. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangdong province in China in 2014. The sample included 1,517 nurses from 111 medical/surgical units in 23 hospitals. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index was used to measure work environment. Overtime was calculated by subtracting scheduled work hours from actual work hours. Six items were used to measure nurse-reported OHs/OIs. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and two-level logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. The percentages of nurses reporting OHs/OIs occurred in the year before the survey ranged from 47% to 80%. Nurses who worked in good (vs. poor) unit work environments were less likely to experience OHs/OIs (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.65-0.68, p < .05). Nurses who worked overtime (OR = 1.19-1.33, p < .05) and in Level 3 (largest) hospitals (OR = 1.45-1.80, p < .05) were more likely to experience OHs/OIs. We found that OHs/OIs were prevalent among hospital nurses in China. Better work environment and less nurse overtime were associated with fewer nurse OHs/OIs.

Job satisfaction, work environment and successful ageing: Determinants of delaying retirement among acute care nurses

AIM

To determine the relationships between job satisfaction, work environment and successful ageing and how these factors relate to Registered Nurses' intent to retire.

BACKGROUND

Although little studied, retention of older nurses by delaying early retirement, before age 65, is an important topic for research. Qualitative and quantitative studies have indicated that job satisfaction work environment and successful ageing are key motivators in acute care Registered Nurses retention and/or delaying retirement. This study was designed to provide information to administrators and policy makers about retaining older, experienced RNs longer and more productively.

DESIGN

This was a correlational, descriptive, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

An online survey of acute care Registered Nurses (N = 2,789) aged 40 years or older working in Florida was conducted from September - October 2013. Participants completed items related to job satisfaction, work environment, successful ageing and individual characteristics. Hypotheses derived from the modified Ellenbecker's Job Retention Model were tested using regression analysis.

RESULTS

Job satisfaction scores were high. Highest satisfaction was with scheduling issues and co-workers; lowest with advancement opportunities. Successful ageing scores were also high with 81% reporting excellent or good health. Work environment explained 55% of the variance in job satisfaction. Years to retirement were significantly associated with successful ageing (p < .001), age (p < .001) and income (p < .010).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides quantitative evidence that environment and successful ageing are important areas that have an impact on job satisfaction and delay of retirement in older nurses and further studies in these areas are warranted to expand on this knowledge.