Page 131 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2024. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih / Health of Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press

Quality of Work Life of Oncology Nurses

Azra Kovačević, Tija Panger, Aleksandra Lipovšek, Mirko Prosen, Sabina Ličen
University of Primorska Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia

Introduction: Oncology nurses play a crucial role in the comprehensive care of patients,
but are often confronted with high levels of stress and emotional exhaustion, which af-
fect their job satisfaction and quality of life.
Methods: A quantitative, descriptive and non-experimental method was used in the
study. The data was collected by means of an online survey based on the “Quality of
Nursing Work Life Scale” (QNWLS), which was adapted to the Slovenian context.
The questionnaire consists of 35 statements, which are rated on a five-point Likert
scale (1–5). The total score ranges from 35 to 175 points, with higher scores indicat-
ing a better quality of working life. The study involved 52 registered nurses working in
oncology, with an average age of 38.56 years. The survey was conducted in Novem-
ber and December 2023 using the EnKlikAnketa tool. The data were analysed using
descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including linear regression, Wilcoxon
signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test, with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: The reliability of the QNWLS questionnaire was verified with a Cronbach‘s
alpha coefficient of 0.914, confirming excellent questionnaire validity. The two state-
ments receiving the highest ratings were: “Protocols and standards of nursing facilitate
my daily work” with an average rating of 4.04 and “My daily tasks are often interrupt-
ed/disturbed” with an average rating of 4.14. On the other hand, the two statements
receiving the lowest average ratings were: “I am adequately paid for my work” and
“The number of nurses in my team is adequate” with average ratings of 2.95 and 3.09,
respectively. The results also indicate a relatively high quality of work life for nurs-
es employed in oncology nursing (M = 121.65; SD = 16.04; 95% confidence inter-
val [117.39; 125.90]), as there was a statistically significant difference between the re-
spondents’ median (Mdn = 121) and the assumed median value of 105 (p < 0.001).
Furthermore, the results showed no statistically significant differences in the assess-
2
ment of quality of work life among nurses working different shifts (χ = 0.177; df = 2; p
= 0.915). Additionally, the linear regression analysis model indicated that age was not a
statistically significant predictor of the quality of work life for respondents (p = 0.217).
2
The coefficient of determination was also low (R = 0.228), indicating that the mod- problemi, izzivi in priložnosti na področju zdravja ... | concerns, challenges and opportunities in the health ...
el explains only 2.8% of the variability in the ratings of quality of work life, which is a
very small proportion.
Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the results, it was found that nurses are satisfied
with their work in oncology, and their organizations provide them with opportunities
for adequate education and sufficient material resources for standardized nurs- ing
care. However, they feel inadequately compensated for their work and believe that
the number of nurses in their healthcare teams is insufficient. Any institution aiming for
quality healthcare provision should assess the quality of work life of nurses, as this can
lead to implementing numerous changes that will improve the lives of nurses and con-
sequently their delivery of healthcare. Accordingly, further research is recommended
using appropriate questionnaires with a larger number of respondents.
Keywords: job satisfaction, oncology nursing, quality of care, nurses

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