Prithivi S
Prithivi S
Prithivi S
INTRODUCTION
Nurses constitute a substantial and heterogeneous workforce within the healthcare system. The
term "nurse" has its etymological roots in the Latin word "Nutricius," which conveys the concept
of someone who provides nourishment, stimulates growth, and offers protection. The function of
nurses within the healthcare system is undergoing a process of expansion and transformation.
The scope of their responsibilities extends beyond institutional care to include the provision of
services across several tiers of the healthcare system. Nurses play a vital role in the healthcare
delivery system by offering individuals secure, cost-effective, and high-quality services. Nurses
have a crucial role in achieving favourable health outcomes such as a decrease in mortality,
morbidity, and disability, as well as the promotion of health via the adoption of healthy lifestyles
(Suresh, 2013).
The concept of Quality of Work Life (QWL) refers to the level of satisfaction experienced by
employees concerning their personal and professional demands, as well as their engagement in the
workplace and the attainment of organisational objectives (Swamy, Nanjundeswaraswamy &
Rashmi, 2015). The analysis of work-life quality is conducted to enhance work circumstances,
while considering the many aspects of a person's well-being, including physical, mental,
psychological, and social demands (Sirin & Sokmen, 2015).
A good quality of work life (QWL) is important to effectively recruit new workers and maintain a
stable staff. As a result, organisations are actively exploring strategies to effectively tackle
challenges related to the recruitment and retention of employees, intending to attain a high Quality
of Work Life (QWL). Prioritising the enhancement of Quality of Work Life (QWL) has the
potential to augment the overall well-being and contentment of workers, hence yielding several
benefits for the individual worker, the organisation, and the customers. Conversely, the inability
to effectively address and control these elements may result in significant consequences for
employee behavioural outcomes, including as organisational identity, work satisfaction, turnover
intention, and organisational commitment (Gayathiri & Ramakrishnan, 2013; Jebel, 2013).
Nursing is characterised by demanding labour, and occupational stress is widespread among
nurses, thereby impacting their quality of work life (QWL).
Occupational stress is a significant health concern for both nurses and the organisations they work
for. The influence of elements in the nursing work environment and work organisation on nurses'
quality of work life (QWL) is generally acknowledged. Hence, occupational stress is a
progressively acknowledged health concern that impacts the quality of work life (QWL) for nurses.
According to Behdin (2013), enhancing the work environment by detecting stresses may lead to
improvements in both the work life of nurses and the overall quality of health care.
The presence of job-related stress poses a significant threat to the quality of work-life (QWL)
experienced by nurses. Nurses are often exposed to the challenges of severe disease and mortality,
a distinct stressor that sets their job apart from others. This exposure has a significant influence on
their quality of work life (QWL) (Wilson et al., 2009). Cross-sectional research was conducted on
Croatian nurses (n=1,392) employed at four university hospitals. The study aimed to identify and
analyse the influence of eight primary categories of occupational stressors on the quality of work
life (QWL) of these nurses. The primary objective of this research was to contribute to the current
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
According to the study conducted by Brooks and Anderson (2005), The complexity and
possibilities inherent in this conceptual framework of the Quantum Neural Network Language
(QNWL) are readily apparent. The concept of Quality of Nursing Work Life (QNWL) is supported
by robust theoretical underpinnings and has strong institutional validity. The field of organisational
literature has garnered significant interest as a consequence. The complexity mostly arises from
the presence of overlapping, poorly defined, and improperly measured empirical referents. The
concept of job satisfaction does not bear resemblance to the Quality of Nursing Work Life and
instead hinders comprehension.
Neha Gupta's 2021 study titled "Occupational Stress, Work-Life Balance, and Turnover
Intentions among Nursing Staff" examines many factors contributing to the occurrence of
occupational stress among nursing staff. Employees often experience heightened levels of
occupational stress as a result of many factors and problems related to their job duties,
organisational dynamics, relationships with supervisors and colleagues, and prevalent working
conditions, among other relevant features. Research has shown that work-related stress has
negative impacts on several dimensions of employees' lives, including job performance, job
satisfaction, physical health, mental well-being, emotional state, commitment to the company,
social interactions, personal life, and connections within the organisation. The correlation between
employee stress and increased occurrence of health problems and decreased work productivity has
been observed, leading to lower levels of job satisfaction and negative repercussions for the
company as a whole. The primary aim of this study is the examination of the stress experienced
by nurses.
Nursing professionals constitute about 33% of the healthcare workforce. The nursing profession
is distinguished by a considerable degree of stress. Although stress is a fundamental component of
all occupations and professions, some work roles are characterised by a greater level of stress in
comparison to others. Occupations or careers that need continuous interaction with others,
including diverse aspects of psychological, cognitive, or emotional connection, often demonstrate
heightened levels of demand and stress in comparison to alternative employment opportunities.
This presents a significant issue in the administration of professions such as healthcare, education,
and other closely associated fields.
Singh (2022) did research entitled "Job Stress and Quality of Work Life in Hospitals," in which
the author focused on the viewpoints of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses employed in
both government and commercial healthcare facilities. The findings of the research indicate that
nurses working in private hospitals regard their workload as a prominent determinant impacting
their quality of work life, relative to their colleagues at government hospitals. When doing a
comparative analysis of absenteeism rates among healthcare professionals, namely doctors hired
by government hospitals and nurses and other medical workers, it becomes apparent that the latter
group exhibits a greater prevalence of absenteeism. The aforementioned phenomenon might be
ascribed to the arduous working conditions encountered by individuals in their respective
positions. The impact of stress on the quality of life experienced by nurses in private hospitals is
mostly adverse.
The publication is authored by Yustina P. M. Paschalia and was published in the year 2022.
Healthcare professionals are actively involved in a range of healthcare duties during the COVID-
19 epidemic. If the epidemic persists for a prolonged period, it will give rise to a significant degree
of uncertainty and danger. The conditions listed above possess the capacity to worsen people'
adverse self-perception, heighten stress associated to work, and reduce the general quality of life
for healthcare workers. The researcher observed a statistically significant link (p < 0.001) between
professional stress and the general well-being of healthcare workers during the COVID-19
pandemic.
The research done by Babapour et al. (2022) The nursing profession poses considerable obstacles,
and the professional stress experienced by nurses may potentially have detrimental impacts on
their general well-being and quality of life. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the
potential relationship between the quality of life perceived by nurses and their caregiving practises,
alongside the degree of work stress they confront. The study was concluded by delivering the
subsequent findings. The impact of occupational stress on the holistic well-being of nurses, with a
specific focus on their physical and mental health, is mostly detrimental. Moreover, it is important
to acknowledge that this phenomenon can impede the delivery of nursing care
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of the present research is to evaluate the quality of working life and job
stress experienced by nurses working in the private hospitals of Chennai City.
Additionally, the study aims to establish the link between the quality of work life and job stress
among these nurses.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The study used a quantitative descriptive research approach. The research was carried out among
the workforce employed in the metropolitan area of Chennai. The calculation of the sample size
was performed via the Rao sample size calculator. The survey includes a sample of 112 nurses
who are currently employed in private hospitals in Chennai. Data was collected from the nurses
via the use of the convenience sampling approach.
DATA ANALYSIS
The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS
20.0). Quality control measures were included throughout both the coding and data input stages.
The data were subjected to analysis using descriptive statistics, which included the calculation of
frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables, as well as the determination of the mean and
standard deviation (SD) for quantitative variables.
The correlation coefficient test was used by the researchers to analyse the association between
empowerment and job satisfaction. The statistical significance was established using a significance
threshold of p < 0.05.
Table:1
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND JOB PROFILE OF THE SELECTED NURSES
DEMOGRAPHIC
PARTICULARS FREQUENCY PERCENT
VARIABLES
Male 36 32
Female 76 68
GENDER Total 112 100.0
GNM (Diploma) 15 13.4
B.Sc. Nursing 61 54.5
M.Sc. Nursing 20 17.9
EDUCATIONAL Other Courses 16 14.3
STATUS Total 112 100.0
Permanent 45 40.2
Temporary 42 37.5
Contract 25 22.3
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Total 112 100.0
0 to 6 years 43 38.4
7 to 10 years 33 29.5
PERIOD OF More than 10
36 32.1
TENURE years
Total 112 100.0
Up to 10000 18 16.1
10001 to 20000 34 30.4
20001 to 30000 46 41.1
JOB PROFILE
PARTICULARS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
VARIABLES
Registered 34 30.4
REGISTRATION Not Registered 78 69.6
STATUS Total 112 100.0
Morning Shift 46 41.1
Evening Shift 24 21.4
Night Shift 12 10.7
SHIFT AND Rotational Shifts 30 26.8
DURATION
Total 112 100.0
Mostly Female 86 76.8
Mostly Male 7 6.3
GENDER Equal Proportion 19 17.0
RATIO
Total 112 100.0
Equal 82 73.2
Unequal 30 26.8
SALARY
DISCRIMINATION Total 112 100.0
Nil 62 55.4
Interpretation: According to the data shown in the table above, it can be seen that a significant
proportion of the participants are of the female gender, accounting for 68% of the total respondents.
Furthermore, the majority of the respondents, namely 54.5%, possess an associate bachelor's
degree in the field of nursing. The majority of nurses working in private hospitals earn a salary
within the range of 20,000 to 30,000, while their tenure typically spans fewer than 10 years. A
mere 30% of the nursing staff employed in private hospitals have completed the registration
process. According to the findings, a significant majority of nurses, namely 78%, said that the
predominant gender within their profession is female. The majority of nurses employed in private
hospitals are assigned a patient load ranging from 8 to 12 individuals. More than half of the samples
said that they do not get scheduled breaks throughout their shifts. According to a survey conducted
at private hospitals in Chennai, a majority of 61% of respondents expressed a preference for the
morning shift.
Interpretation: The findings of the study indicate that a significant proportion of the sampled
population, specifically 88%, perceived the work design to be of average quality. This was
followed by 79% of the participants who perceived the total quality of work-life scores to be
average. Additionally, 74% of the respondents perceived the work world to be of average quality,
while 52% perceived the work life to be average. Lastly, 30% of the participants perceived the
work context to be of average quality.
Thus, it can be inferred from both past and current research that administrators of health care
facilities create effective strategies to raise employee satisfaction. This aids in enhancing the work
and home settings to raise nurses' dedication and performance.
Job stress was examined in another part of this research. This section's research findings spoke to
the nurse's opinions on the origins, severity, and effects of work-related stress. When it came to
the many causes of workplace stress, such as work hours that interfere with personal life, the
majority of respondents agreed. The hospital offers limited professional growth and development
opportunities, with work shifts that change frequently. Additionally, the salary is not
commensurate with the tasks required, and there are no financial incentives. Employees also face
instability at home, lack of respect, and difficulty keeping up with the rapid advancements in
technology. In addition to the stresses already described, it seemed possible that nurses working
in various work contexts would feel varying amounts of stress.
CONCLUSION
The present study's results suggest the presence of a noteworthy inverse relationship between the
degree of job-related stress encountered by staff nurses and their evaluations of their work life's
quality. Additionally, it was noted that there existed a favourable association between average job
stress scores and diminished levels of work life, work design, work context, work environment,
and overall work quality of work life.
The presence of Quality of Work Life (QWL) has been shown to positively impact several aspects
of the work. Therefore, healthcare administrators can enhance their efforts in advancing the quality
of work life for nurses in private hospitals. The study aims to establish that by improving the
environment provided by the organization, nurses would be better equipped to balance their home
and professional lives.
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