Effort-Reward Imbalance Among Nurses: A Scoping Review
Keywords:
Effort-reward imbalance, Nurses, Scoping reviewAbstract
Effort-reward imbalance (ERI) is a crucial factor influencing job retention. However, no review of research summarizes the knowledge about ERI among nurses. This scoping review aimed to study the ERI situation, its antecedents and consequences, and the recommendations from research regarding ERI among nurses. This scoping review was conducted using the conceptual framework of Arksey and O’Malley. A systematic search of studies published between 2014 and 2024 identified 109 articles. After using research evidence screening and a data extraction form, 21 articles passed the screening criteria. They were analyzed for content to summarize the main findings according to the objectives of the scoping review.
The results of the review are as follows:
1. There are two ways to report the situation of imbalance between effort and reward. The first is by reporting the number or percentage of nurses with different ERI scores. The second is by reporting the average ERI level. Among the studies reviewed, 11 reported a balance (ERI ≤ 1), while 10 studies reported an imbalance (ERI > 1) in the ratio of effort to reward among nurses.
2. The antecedence of ERI among nurses can be classified into three groups: organizational factors (e.g., conflicts with supervisors, lack of support, abuse), work characteristics (e., department, shifts, overtime), and personal factors (e.g., demographics, mental health).
3. The consequences of ERI among nurses can be classified into two groups: health effects (e.g., stress, depression, and burnout) and organizational impacts (e.g., reduced care quality, lower job satisfaction, and increased turnover intention).
4. The recommendations from the research, for nursing and organization administrators, include taking care of nurses' welfare; providing training and counseling on how to manage fatigue, stress, and conflicts; creating a safe working environment; and promoting rewards for nurses.
This scoping review highlights the ERI among nurses and provides insights that hospital administrators can use to develop strategies for achieving better balance and improving nurse retention.
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