A comparison of work characteristics and health status between Korean and US hospital nurses

Abstract

AimA rigorous examination of the occupational features across cultures helps draw policy recommendations for nurses' quality care practices and good health. This study aimed to explore the differences in work characteristics and health status between Korean and US hospital nurses.DesignFor this comparative secondary data analysis study, we constructed a dataset with 304 pairs of nurses from Korea and the United States, matched by age and gender.MethodsWe used the data from the 2020 Korean Hospital Nurses Health Behaviors and Health Status study, collected from May to July 2020, and the Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study (NWWS), conducted between November 2020 and February 2021.ResultsCompared to nurses in the United States, Korean nurses rated their job‐related conditions much lower, had lower intentions to stay in their current workplace and were less satisfied with their jobs. Korean nurses reported that organizational support and employee health resources were less prevalent and their levels of healthy behaviour practice and health status were lower than their US counterparts. Nurses in Korea require better practice environments and employee health support. Adequate workload and staffing levels are needed to improve job conditions for Korean nurses. Organizational support and employee health resources should always be accessible at nurses' workplaces.