Full time or part time? Working time preferences among registered nurses

Abstract

Background: The shortage of registered nurses suggests that there is a need for part time nurses to work full time. Also, earlier research shows that part-time working practices impact negatively on the quality of the service provided by registered nurses. Objective: To shed light on the factors that inéuence the full-time equivalent percentages worked by registered nurses, and to gain an insight into what factors may motivate part time staç to increase their full-time equivalent percentage. Method: Cross-sectional survey with an explorative design. Questionnaire survey among a sample of registered nurses employed by municipal and privately run institutions in a large urban municipality in Norway. Results: A total of 206 registered nurses responded to the survey (45 per cent). Leisure time, parenting and a healthy ènancial situation were the most important reasons for choosing to work part time, and unsociable working hours was the most important barrier to a higher full-time equivalent percentage among part-time staç. Adjustments made by the employer would inéuence one group of part-time nurses, whereas another group was less inclined to be inéuenced by such measures. The 'family considerations' factor was inversely related to full-time work in that respondents were more inclined to reject full- time jobs. Sociable working hours and professional challenges provide motivation for part-time workers to increase their full-time equivalent percentage. Conclusion: Job content, family considerations and contextual circumstances inéuence the full-time equivalents worked by registered nurses. For those who work part time, professional challenges and sociable working hours are factors that may motivate a change to a higher full-time equivalent percentage.