The Effect of Nurses' Quality of Work Life on Their Care Behaviour

Abstract

Problems experienced in providing health services due to increased workload affect nurses' care behaviour and quality of work life. Nurses constitute most of the healthcare staff and must be provided with an environment that enhances their work life for them to achieve targeted patient care results. This descriptive and correlational research was conducted to examine the factors affecting nurses' work life quality and the effect of quality work life on care. The research was conducted in four private hospitals in Istanbul in 2022. The study sample included nurses (n=171) from these four hospitals. A 17-question structured information form prepared by the researchers, the Quality of Nursing Work Life Scale, and the Nurses' Caring Behaviour Inventory-24 were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Of the nurses included in the study, 81.9% were clinical nurses, 62.6% worked in the service, 66.1% worked day and night shifts alternately, 66.7% worked overtime monthly, and 52% devoted more than two hours to patient care in an eight-hour shift. The nurses' total score average on the Quality of Nursing Work Life Scale was 129.33 +/- 4.39. The mean total score of the Nurses' Caring Behaviour Inventory-24 was 5.68 +/- 0.56. A statistically moderate, positive and highly significant relationship was detected between the mean scores of the Quality of Nursing Work Life Scale and the total and sub-dimension mean scores of the Nurses' Caring Behaviour Inventory. It was determined that the nurses' work life quality was good and their perception of the quality of nursing care was highly favourable. An improvement in nurses' quality of work life positively affected their level of care behaviour. Supporting nurses in realising their career goals not only enhances the quality of care but also makes it more effective.