The quality of work life of registered nurses in Canada and the United States: a comprehensive literature review

Background: Workplace environment is related to the physical and psychological well-being, and quality of work life (QWL) for nurses. Objective: The aim of this paper was to perform a comprehensive literature review on nurses' quality of work life to identify a comprehensive set of QWL predicto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of occupational and environmental health 2016-10, Vol.22 (4), p.341-358
Main Authors: Nowrouzi, Behdin, Giddens, Emilia, Gohar, Basem, Schoenenberger, Sandrine, Bautista, Mary Christine, Casole, Jennifer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Canada
Graduates
Health care
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Job Satisfaction
Job stress
Literature reviews
Nurses
Nursing
Psychological factors
Psychology
Quality of Life
Quality of work
Quality of work life
Review
Reviews
Salaries and Fringe Benefits
United States
Well being
Workplace
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Summary:Background: Workplace environment is related to the physical and psychological well-being, and quality of work life (QWL) for nurses. Objective: The aim of this paper was to perform a comprehensive literature review on nurses' quality of work life to identify a comprehensive set of QWL predictors for nurses employed in the United States and Canada. Methods: Using publications from 2004-2014, contributing factors to American and Canadian nurses' QWL were analyzed. The review was structured using the Work Disability Prevention Framework. Sixty-six articles were selected for analysis. Results: Literature indicated that changes are required within the workplace and across the health care system to improve nurses' QWL. Areas for improvement to nurses' quality of work life included treatment of new nursing graduates, opportunities for continuing education, promotion of positive collegial relationships, stress-reduction programs, and increased financial compensation. Conclusions: This review's findings support the importance of QWL as an indicator of nurses' broader work-related experiences. A shift in health care systems across Canada and the United States is warranted where health care delivery and services are improved in conjunction with the health of the nurses working in the system.
ISSN:1077-3525
2049-3967
DOI:10.1080/10773525.2016.1241920