Other Titles
Keeping the Lines of Communication Open: Interprofessional Teams [Session]
Abstract
Session presented on Tuesday, November 10, 2015:
Background: Work engagement may be defined as a persistent, positive, work-related affective-cognitive state of mind that is characterized by vigor, dedication and absorption. Studies have shown that the organizations with high levels of engagement among their employees usually have better quantitative and qualitative results, as well as higher levels of satisfaction, health and well-being of their clients and employees. Nevertheless, broader studies are still required, particularly in the nursing field.
Objective: To describe the perception of the nurses of medical-surgical services of Portuguese hospitals regarding the work engagement levels and their association with some socio-demographic and professional variables.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical, observational, quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 2235 nurses of adult medical-surgical services of 31 Portuguese Hospitals. Data were collected using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and a socio-demographic questionnaire, and analyzed using analytical and descriptive statistics.
Results: The participants showed mean levels of engagement; however, different levels were found between regions, hospitals and services. A clear difference in age, professional experience and gender was also observed. Female nurses showed significantly higher levels of work engagement (p 0.01), as well as individuals at the extremes of the age groups and professional experience.
Conclusion: Despite the high mean levels of engagement, the differences observed between regions, hospitals and services reveal the importance of organizational conditions in explaining this phenomenon. On the other hand, given that this sample was mostly composed of females and that the critical years to decrease engagement coincide with the life stages in which there may be more conflicts regarding to the performance of familiar and professional roles, the clear differences in age, professional experience and gender regarding the levels of engagement should receive special attention from the various institutions providing nursing care and the leaders of the profession. Longitudinal studies on cases of success/failure and in other care settings should be developed.
Sigma Membership
Phi Xi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Work Engagement, Nurses, Medical-Surgical Services
Recommended Citation
Mendes, Aida Cruz, "Nurses work engagement in medical-surgical services in Portugal" (2016). Convention. 334.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2015/presentations_2015/334
Conference Name
43rd Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Conference Year
2015
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Nurses work engagement in medical-surgical services in Portugal
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Session presented on Tuesday, November 10, 2015:
Background: Work engagement may be defined as a persistent, positive, work-related affective-cognitive state of mind that is characterized by vigor, dedication and absorption. Studies have shown that the organizations with high levels of engagement among their employees usually have better quantitative and qualitative results, as well as higher levels of satisfaction, health and well-being of their clients and employees. Nevertheless, broader studies are still required, particularly in the nursing field.
Objective: To describe the perception of the nurses of medical-surgical services of Portuguese hospitals regarding the work engagement levels and their association with some socio-demographic and professional variables.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical, observational, quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 2235 nurses of adult medical-surgical services of 31 Portuguese Hospitals. Data were collected using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and a socio-demographic questionnaire, and analyzed using analytical and descriptive statistics.
Results: The participants showed mean levels of engagement; however, different levels were found between regions, hospitals and services. A clear difference in age, professional experience and gender was also observed. Female nurses showed significantly higher levels of work engagement (p 0.01), as well as individuals at the extremes of the age groups and professional experience.
Conclusion: Despite the high mean levels of engagement, the differences observed between regions, hospitals and services reveal the importance of organizational conditions in explaining this phenomenon. On the other hand, given that this sample was mostly composed of females and that the critical years to decrease engagement coincide with the life stages in which there may be more conflicts regarding to the performance of familiar and professional roles, the clear differences in age, professional experience and gender regarding the levels of engagement should receive special attention from the various institutions providing nursing care and the leaders of the profession. Longitudinal studies on cases of success/failure and in other care settings should be developed.
Description
43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Theme: Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally.`