Assessing the quality of nursing work life

Beth A. Brooks, Judy Storfjell, Osei Omoike, Susan Ohlson, Irene Stemler, Joan Shaver, Amy Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Traditionally, nursing has measured job satisfaction by focusing on employees' likes and dislikes. However, job satisfaction is an unsatisfactory construct to assess either the jobs themselves or employees' feelings about work sinceas much as 30% of the variance explained in job satisfaction surveys is a function of personality, something employers can do little to change. Based on socio-technical systems theory, quality of nursing work life (QNWL) assessments focus on identifying opportunities for nurses to improve their work and work environment while achieving the organization's goals. Moreover, some evidence suggests that improvements in work life are needed to improve productivity. Therefore, assessing QNWL reveals areas for improvement where the needs of both the employees and the organization converge. The purpose of this article was to assess the QNWL of staff nurses using Brooks' Quality of Nursing Work Life Survey.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)152-157
Number of pages6
JournalNursing administration quarterly
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autonomy
  • Organizational support
  • Quality of nursing work life
  • Work design

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Leadership and Management

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