Employee Quality of Work Life with Young Nurses in Medium Scale Hospitals

Abstract

The quality of work life for nurses is becoming increasingly significant to healthcare businesses, as it influences staff satisfaction, productivity, retention, and ultimately, patient outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of Emotional Intelligence, Work Environment, Salary, and Safety Activities on the Quality of Work Life (QWL) of young nurses employed in medium-level hospitals within and close to Chennai, with Employee Satisfaction serving as a mediating variable. Data were collected from 350 young nurses using a structured questionnaire and analyzed via IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. Reliability analysis indicated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha values ranged from 0.803 to 0.970). Predictive validity of the proposed predictors to Employee Satisfaction was demonstrated using multiple regression analysis (R = 0.832, R2 = 0.628, p < 0.001), with Work Environment determined to be the most significant contributor (β = 0.630). Through hierarchical regression analysis, Employee Satisfaction was found to be positively associated with Quality of Work Life (β = 0.432, p < 0.001). Also identified as significant contributors to Quality of Work Life were Work Environment (β = 0.374), Safety Activities (β = 0.239), and Emotional Intelligence (β = 0.139), whereas Salary was shown not to be a significant predictor (β = 0.035, p = 0.053). Mediation analysis via the Sobel test provided support for the partial mediating influence of Employee Satisfaction (Z = 8.523-8.972, p < 0.01). Findings suggest efforts to improve working conditions, emotional health and safety at work would greatly enhance nurses’ quality of work life, ultimately improving performance and retention of nurses.