Effects of nurses’ individual, professional and work environment characteristics on job performance

Abstract

Aims and objectives This study aimed to examine the effects of nurses’ individual, professional and work environment characteristics on their job performance levels.

Background Nurses’ job performance is important in the effective and efficient provision of health care.

Design A descriptive, cross-sectional study. The STROBE guidelines were used in this study.

Methods The sample of this descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study comprised 370 nurses working at one private and two university hospitals in Turkey. A demographic information form, the Practice Work Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) and the Nursing Job Performance Scale (JPS) were used to collect the data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation and multiple linear (stepwise) regression.

Results There was a significant and positive correlation between the scores on the PES-NWI and the JPS (r: 0.65, p < .05). Regression analysis showed that nurses’ job performance was affected by five variables (R2: 59%, p < .05, Durbin–Watson: 2.06).

Conclusion The results of the study show that three sub-dimensions of the PES-NWI (nursing foundations for quality of care; staffing and resource adequacy; nurse manager abilities, leadership and support for nurses), colleague solidarity and education level were important factors affecting job performance.

Relevance to clinical practice The job performance of nurses is a priority issue in delivering quality healthcare services. Further efforts need to be pursued to nurse managers ensure a positive work environment to increase their nurses’ job performance.