Optimizing shift scheduling and work-life balance to improve job satisfaction among female nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Among the numerous factors that can improve job satisfaction are challenging work, rewards that meet employees’ expectations, a comfortable working environment, and a balance between personal life and work (work-life balance). This study analyzed the relationship between shift schedule arrangement and work-life balance among female nurses and its impact on job satisfaction. M ethods: This study adopted a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of nurses who have civil servant status in one of the regional hospitals in Indonesia. The participants were recruited using proportionate stratified random sampling with 100 respondents. The variables included shift schedule arrangement, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. In addition, job satisfaction, shift schedules, and work-life balance questionnaires were collected. The analysis was tested using the Chi-Square test. Results: Most participants (60 %) of the participating female nurses expressed satisfaction with their work, and their perceptions of shift scheduling and work-life balance were mostly positive. However, the proportion of nurses who perceived their work-life balance positively (65 %) was greater than the proportion who perceived their schedule positively (59 %). A Chi-Square test revealed a significant correlation between job satisfaction and three factors: education level (p-value 0,008; OR = 1.40), shift schedule arrangements (p-value 0.006; OR = 3.08), and work-life balance (p-value 0.016; OR = 2.82). Conclusion: The finding showed a significant correlation between education level, shift schedule, work-life balance, and job satisfaction among female nurses. Ifthere is no clear pattern to workshifts, nurses in inpatient units will experience greater working stress and declining job satisfaction. Organizations can help employees to improve their work-life balance by introducing family-friendly policies such as flexible working hours.