Reliability and validity of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index for Japanese hospital nurses

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) for hospital nurses in Japan. Design: A cross-sectional mail survey. Methods: Participants in this study were 1,219 full-time ward nurses from 27 hospitals in Japan, using 31 items of the Japanese version of the PES-NWI questionnaire, from December 2008-March 2009. Construct validity, criterion-related validity and internal consistency of the PES-NWI were tested. Results: The PES-NWI showed reliable internal consistency. The five-factor structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The PES-NWI correlated significantly with job satisfaction, burnout and the nurses’ intention to stay on the job, supporting criterion-related validity.