Quality of Work Life and Guidelines to improve of Nurses in a Private Hospital

Abstract

The work life quality of nurses is related to the efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare services. This descriptive study aimed to explore quality of work life and seek guidelines to improve quality of work life among nurses in a private hospital. The population consisted of 82 nurses in Rajavej Chiangmai hospital. Research instrument including the Quality of Nursing Work Life Survey by Wirat Sanguanwongwan and Natnicha Piyapunya (B.E 2560) developed based on Walton model (Walton, 1974). There are 8 aspect such as adequate and fair compensation, safe and healthy working conditions, opportunity to use and develop human capacities, opportunity for continued growth and security, aspect of constitution in the work organization, work and life balance and social relevance of work life. The reliability was .96. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

The results of this study showed that: 

1. Overall quality of nursing work life in private hospital was at a high level (μ = 3.61,                      σ = 0.52). When considering each aspect, it was found that 5 aspect at a high level: aspect of constitution in the work organization, opportunity to use and develop human capacities, opportunity for continued growth and security, and social relevance of work life moreover, that were 3 aspect at a moderate level: adequate and fair compensation, safe and healthy working conditions and balance between work and life were.
2. Guidelines to improve the quality of nursing work life  in private hospitals comprised  8 aspects which were: assess knowledge for reasonable wages, add more to the facilities and living spaces in the hospital, encourage nurses to join academic conferences and trainings, promote activities to create innovations at work, generate social activities both inside and outside work place, adjust personal attitude to promote and respect others’ rights, provide opportunities for nurses to choose their work schedules, and provide health knowledge and checkup in communities.

The results of this study have benefits for hospital administrators and nursing managers to use as baseline information for organization management in order to promote effective quality of nursing work life.