Nurses' perceptions of the working environment: a UK independent sector study

Investing in human capital: exploring causes, consequences and solutions to nurses' dissatisfaction

Background

Human capital (employees) is the most important asset for healthcare. However, nurses experience some of the highest rates of burnout and dissatisfaction. In 2017, the Nursing and Midwifery Council reported that, for the first time since 2008, more nurses and midwives are leaving the profession in the UK than joining it.

Aims

The aim of this paper is to explore the literature regarding the importance of human capital within healthcare sectors in the UK, with a particular focus on nurses and job satisfaction.

Methods

A literature review was conducted with the focus on the aim, as stated above. Findings and conclusions have been summarised. Potential causes, consequences and solutions to job dissatisfaction are explored.

Results

Factors related to job satisfaction include pay, respect, security, workload, recognition, responsibility, environment, autonomy, personal growth, administrative bureaucracy and caseload. Investing and promoting 'organisational compassion' could be a key part of the solution.

Conclusions

More research using the same validated tools for measuring job satisfaction will help with consistency and comparability across hospitals. It is hoped this could provide information aiding recruitment and retention, which is a problem within both the NHS and independent sectors.

The value of purpose built mental health facilities: Use of the Ward Atmosphere Scale to gauge the link between milieu and physical environment

This study investigated changes in the 'atmosphere' of an acute adult mental health setting following relocation to a new purpose-built facility. The Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS) was designed and validated for specific use in hospital-based psychiatric facilities, and measures several dimensions of an environment. In this study, the WAS was administered to consumers and staff at periods before and also after their relocation to a new purpose-built acute adult mental health facility. There were significant improvements in the physical atmosphere of the new facility, when compared with the old facility. In terms of ward atmosphere, however, improvements were seen to occur in only a small number of measures and there were minor differences between consumers' and staff perspectives on some indicators. Interestingly, it was found that consumers noted less 'staff control' in the new setting, raising the question of the differences in understanding of control. For staff only, there was a perception of greater levels of consumer 'involvement' in the new facility. Despite the minor differences in perception, the study does confirm that architecture is an important influence on the 'atmosphere' of a health facility, for both staff and consumers.

Nursing work environment in Saudi Arabia

AIM

The purpose of this study was to assess the work environment as perceived by nurses in a large tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

The quality of patient care services has been associated with the quality of work environment of nurses. It is therefore important to assess the work environment in order to acquire baseline data and enable the institution to benchmark their status from established quality standards.

METHOD

This study used a descriptive survey with 1007 staff nurses across service units of a 1000-bed government-operated hospital. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment Assessment Questionnaire was used for data collection. Scores were aggregated and interpreted.

RESULT

Effective decision making, authentic leadership, appropriate staffing, true collaboration, skilled communication and meaningful recognition were rated as good (mean range 3.53-3.76).

CONCLUSION

Healthy work environments mutually benefit patients, nurses, nurse managers, health care providers, the health team, administration, the institution and the community at large.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Valuable baseline data on the status of the work environment in this setting were generated. This should allow administrators and staff to work together in improving weaknesses and strengthening further whatever gains that are attained to ensure consistent provision of safe and quality patient care.

The nursing practice environment: measurement and evidence

Improvements in nurses' practice environments are essential to retain nurses and keep patients safe. The pace of improvements can accelerate if evidence is translated clearly for researchers, managers, and policymakers. This article evaluates the utility of published multidimensional instruments to measure the nursing practice environment. The assessment criteria are theoretical relevance, ease of use, and dissemination. This article also synthesizes the research that has used these instruments. Seven instruments and 54 studies are evaluated. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) is proposed as the most useful instrument. Its content, length, and dissemination best satisfy the set of criteria. Researchers should use the PES-NWI to generate consistent and comparable evidence; expand the content to reflect all conceptual domains; develop a short form; test the instrument in different care settings; expand the evidence of the practice environment's influence on patient outcomes; and test interventions for practice environment improvements.