Nurses' perceptions of their work environment

Supervisor support is one factor contributing to a healthy work environment for registered nurses (RNs). This study explored differences in RNs' perceptions of their work environment by both years in the profession and current position. A statistically significant difference was found for RNs' perceptions of Supervisor Support based on number of years in current position. Those RNs with less than 2 years in their current position perceived the greatest Supervisor Support (X = 6.96; P = .03).     

Nurses' personalities,nursing-related qualities and work satisfaction: a 10-year perspective

The personalities and qualities of nursing personnel are considered to be of great importance for their interactions and nursing relationships with patients and may also influence work satisfaction. The aim of the study was to explore the extent to which different personal qualities and personality factors, with a possible effect on motivation, professional conduct and coping with stress and anxiety, are represented in a group of assistant nurses (second level nurses), and how these qualities are related to nursing competence and long-range work satisfaction. A group of 51 female nursing students (mean age 31.8 years) participated in the study. The nursing-related qualities were empathy, sensitivity to non-verbal communication, feelings of discomfort in different nursing situations and work satisfaction. The personality factors were psychogenic needs and defence mechanisms. At a follow-up 2 years later, 43 nurses were interviewed, work satisfaction was assessed and nursing competence was appraised. At a follow-up 10 years after completion of nursing school, 33 of the nurses took part in a telephone interview. Work satisfaction was assessed in 23 of those who were still working as nurses. Cluster analysis performed on baseline data resulted in four groups: empathic, discomfort prone, service-minded and dominant. At the first follow-up, the service-minded had the greatest work satisfaction, with many considered to be 'real jewels'. At the second follow-up 8 years later, there appeared to be an overrepresentation of injuries and long-term sick leave in this group, whose members had apparent difficulties in being dominant and asserting own interests. Work satisfaction diminished in all the groups over time. Long-term work satisfaction was found, however, to be related to degree of empathy and a low degree of sensitivity to aggressiveness.     

Nurses' health: work and family influences

Nurses represent the largest group of professional caregivers. Most are also informal caregivers for family members, including children, parents, spouses, and other relatives. The impact of these caregiving roles, individually and in combination, has important implications for the health of nurses. This article focuses on nurses' health, emphasizing research on the influence of the work and family stress on physical and psychosocial dimensions of health. Health and safety concerns of nurses are discussed and findings from longitudinal studies of nurses' health are presented. Challenges for maintaining a healthy nursing workforce for the future are discussed.     

Nurses' job satisfaction and organizational climate in a dynamic work environment.

The infrastructure and organization of hospitals are changing rapidly as a result of major transitions in health care. Downsizing in hospitals has caused employees to have to take on new tasks and, often, multiple tasks with a decrease in available resources and an increase in job complexity. Naturally, such organizational changes have a profound effect on the nature and duration of patient hospitalization and on the job responsibilities and roles of inpatient staff. In many hospitals, there is a perception of chaos, sometimes resulting in frustration among the nursing personnel. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between nurses' job satisfaction and organizational climate.     

Explaining nurses' work behaviour from their perception of the environment and work values

The present study examined how the relationship between nurses' perception of their environment and their work values could explain their job performance and whether they intended to quit their jobs. A survey (N=346) and a focus group (N=6) were used to collect data. The results revealed that nurses' job performance was maintained in an environment where they received few professional incentives due to their professionalism. In contrast, negative environmental characteristics directly impacted on nurses' intention to quit their jobs. The present study provides new insights into nurses' work behaviour.     

Work engagement, work commitment and their association with well-being in health care

The aim was to examine whether work engagement and work commitment can be empirically discriminated and how they are associated with well-being. The terminology used in literature and in practice is confused by the interchangeable use of these terms. Only few studies, like Hallberg and Schaufeli's study, have examined the relationships between work engagement and work commitment systematically by using empirical data. In this study, the data were gathered via self-reported questionnaire from the healthcare staff working in 14 health centres and four hospitals in Finland. The data consisted of 435 responses. The material was analysed by using structural equation modelling (SEM) and correlations. The items of work engagement and work commitment dimensions (identification with organization, willingness to exert in organization's favour, occupational commitment and job involvement) loaded on their own latent variables in SEM analysis, so the data supported this five-factor model. Work engagement and work commitment dimensions were positively related, sharing between 2 and 33% of their variances. These constructs also displayed different correlations with some indicators of well-being measured as personal accomplishment, psychological well-being, mental resources, internal work motivation and willingness to stay on at work. Work engagement had moderate positive correlation to personal accomplishment (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Identification with organization (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), willingness to exert in organization's favour (r =0.44, p < 0.001) and occupational commitment (r =0.37, p < 0.001) had low correlations to personal accomplishment. The results support the notion that work engagement can be empirically discriminated from work commitment. They are distinct, yet related constructs that complement each other, describing different aspects of positive attitudes towards work. The results can be utilized in interventions aimed at quality of working life in health care as well as in studies investigating discriminant and construct validity.     

Community health agents and their experiences of pleasure and distress at work: a qualitative study

The objective of this study was to identify the situations that cause pleasure or distress at work among the Community Health Agents (CHA) in a city in Rio Grande do Sul state/Brazil. A qualitative study was performed with 24 agents as the participants. Data collection took place in 2009 through the use of focal groups, using the thematic analysis technique. The situations causing pleasure at work were: being recognized, solving problems, working with peers and being creative. Situations causing distress were: deficiencies in the health service; lack of knowledge regarding their roles; lack of recognition; the stress of teamwork; the obligation of living and working in the same area; daily living and becoming involved with the social problems of the community; and being exposed to violence, which resulted in fear. It was verified that there is a need for adopting interventions with a view to promoting better working conditions, professional satisfaction and the health of community agents.     

Transition to parenthood: consequences on health and well-being. A qualitative study

ObjectiveParenthood is one of the most dramatic developmental transitions in the family life cycle. It requires profound changes in lifestyle, roles and relationships, can increase stress levels and affects both men and women's quality of life. This study aimed to explore the effects on the health and well-being of parents during the first six months of transition to the parental role.MethodA qualitative study using the grounded theory approach. Data collection was from semi-structured interviews (total of 60 interviews). The constant comparative method was used and theoretical sampling in the process of data collection and analysis, and the study was undertaken in a simultaneous and cyclical way. Five fathers and five mothers (couples) participated.ResultsThe category “living on the edge of one's capacities” was described, which is composed of the subcategories “feeling exhaustion”, “perceiving exhaustion in the mother”, “overflowing emotions” and “feeling less exhaustion”, to explain the impact that the birth of a child had on the parents’ lives, when taking on all the tasks and responsibilities of parenthood.ConclusionsAdapting to parenthood is not easy, linear or fast. It involves numerous situations that generate stress and emotional disturbance, linked to tiredness, sleep disturbance, work overload and readjustments of the dynamics of life, which especially affect the mother. Antenatal and postnatal preparation for this impact should, therefore, be encouraged and effective, as a focus of nursing intervention.     

Engaging health care workers in improving their work environment

AIM: This study describes the perceptions of health care workers who were involved in a participatory approach for the reorganization of care and work, aimed at creating an optimum work environment. BACKGROUND: Quebec's health network has undertaken large-scale organizational changes to ensure the quality of health care and services for the population. METHOD: This participatory research was carried out by means of interviews. The sample consisted of 20 participants involved in the participatory approach for making changes to the organization of care and work in two pilot units. RESULTS: Four main perspectives emerged from the analysis: (1) views on the legitimacy of change, (2) commitment, indifference and resistance, (3) day-to-day concrete changes as signs of hope and (4) the elements of the success of the participatory approach. CONCLUSION: The management team's support and leadership and the participatory approach were significant factors in the success of the project.     

Registered Nurses' perceptions of their work and professional development

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to elucidate Registered Nurses' perceptions of their work and professional development 6 years after graduation. BACKGROUND: Nursing education and health care has rapidly changed in the last two decades. Education and experience are important components in Registered Nurses' ability to promote a high quality of care, but a great deal depends on their work circumstances. This study emphasizes Registered Nurses' view of their work in health care, at a time in their career when they have several years of experience. METHOD: Data were collected in 2003 from in-depth interviews with 15 Registered Nurses 6 years after their graduation. The interviews were semi-structured and analysed with interpretive content analysis. FINDINGS: The findings revealed two themes and five sub-themes. The first theme, An appropriate but demanding profession, consisted of two sub-themes: 'having found one's niche' and 'growing old in nursing may be difficult'. The second theme, A profession with opportunities and obstacles, consisted of three sub-themes: 'being aware of Registered Nurses' potential', 'having knowledge that is seldom made use of' and 'attaining professional growth is no matter of course'. CONCLUSION: Keeping Registered Nurses' satisfied and avoiding their dissatisfaction is crucial for both educators and employers. It is essential that employers give priority to Registered Nurses' time with patients and to motivate and support them in professional development. Further intervention studies regarding a change of the balance between obstacles and opportunities are needed.     

Nurses' experiences of busyness in their daily work

The purpose of this study is to explore and illuminate the phenomenon of busyness as experienced by nurses. The daily work of nursing practice is often characterized by a hectic pace in the execution of tasks. Previous research shows that busyness can potentially lead to a reduction in the quality of nursing. Little has been explored about nurses' own experiences of busyness. This study has a qualitative design. The method chosen is a phenomenological hermeneutical exploration of personal experiences. Results reveal that busyness is experienced as a disparity between perceived necessary tasks and time available to accomplish them. Busyness has an outer dimension of events and a dimension of internal processes. Busyness is experienced as acceptable to some extent, but feels strongly uncomfortable if important tasks remain undone. The intolerable busyness raises negative emotions, steals energy and weakens health. Coping with busyness seems to be a personal and individual struggle, even though health service enterprises are a collective matter.     

Learning environment and emotional well-being: A qualitative study of undergraduate nursing students

BackgroundStudents can experience multiple stressors during their academic life which have an impact on their emotional health and academic progress.PurposeThis study sought to explore students' understanding of and factors affecting their emotional well-being in an undergraduate nursing programme at a private nursing institution in Karachi, Pakistan.MethodIn this qualitative study, data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews using a self-designed guide from 16 participants in total, drawn from various years of the selected undergraduate programme.FindingsParticipants noted that the quality of the ‘learning environment’ was a key influence on their emotional well-being. They highlighted faculty role and teaching approaches, academic expectations and availability of learning resources as important factors that affected their emotional well-being as well as their academic performance. Institutional support was also deemed important. Factors associated with a ‘hidden curriculum’ were found to be a threat to students' emerging sense of professionalism.ConclusionSuggestions are given as to how the learning environment in the nursing programme under study can be improved to take into account students' emotional well-being. Emphasis needs to be laid on developing supportive faculty role to provide conducive learning environment and professional development of students. Efforts to develop stress-free academic environment with supportive institutional policies need to be considered.     

Amputation, phantom pain and subjective well-being: a qualitative study

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the impact of an amputation and of phantom pain on the subjective well-being of amputees. Sixteen lower-limb amputees were interviewed. A semi-structured interview and two Visual Analogue Scales were used. To interpret the results, a new socio-medical model joining two models, 'The Disablement Process model' and the 'Social Production Function theory', was used. Questions were asked concerning the factors influencing patients' subjective well-being prior to, at the time of and after an amputation. These factors were patients' medical history, their phantom sensations and phantom pain, their daily activities, the social support they received, and the influence of an amputation and phantom pain on long-term behaviour and on their subjective well-being. All factors were found to have an influence on the individual's subjective well-being. All these factors, however, seemed to reinforce each other. Therefore, the greatest influence of factors on subjective well-being occurred when more than one factor was involved. Substituting certain activities by others then becomes less and less effective in inducing a sense of subjective well-being.