Quality of work life and self-care in nursing staff with high emotional demand

Abstract

Objective: To explore the variables related to the quality of work life and the self-care of nursing professionals working with high emotional demand.

Method: Qualitative, according to the constructivist paradigm. It combines the phenomenological-hermeneutic/interpretative method with the use of semi-structured interviews. Information was analyzed with Maxqda 11. Interviews included professionals from the Valencian healthcare system, with typical profiles of nurses working in surgical units, emergencies, oncology, home care, and cooperation.

Results: Organizational factors were reported as a barrier to self-care, affecting healthcare activity. Working with patients was highlighted as a protective factor, based on the satisfaction derived from helping in situations of serious illness and suffering. The quality of work life manifested was assessed as not being what they would desire and deficient. The factors that affected the professionals most were the type of working day and work schedules (shifts, nights, holidays, on call...). The physical, mental and social dimensions of self-care can attenuate the negative effects of this situation.

Conclusions: It is necessary to examine in depth the construct of self-care, to counteract emotionally stressful problems and situations, to propose intervention strategies, training plans and greater involvement of health institutions in the improvement of nurses' quality of work life.

Keywords: Agotamiento profesional; Autocuidado; Burnout; Empathy; Empatía; Enfermería; Job satisfaction; Nursing; Occupational health; Salud laboral; Satisfacción en el trabajo; Self-care.