Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify characteristics of work environments in psychiatric hospitals which are appealing to nurses. Understanding characteristics of work environments of psychiatric hospital nurses can lead to attracting nurses to work in this environment, thereby increasing human resources and alleviating nurse-staffing problems. Methods: Questionnaire copies focusing on staffing shortages of nurses in psychiatric hospitals were provided to 277 psychiatric hospital nurse administrators in Japan from May-April 2016. Data analyses included descriptive and multivariate statistics. Factor analysis together with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and the Bartlett's test of Sphericity were used to assess adaptive validity. Factor loadings were set at 0.4 or more for the configuration of items, while internal consistency and reliability of the assessment data scores were done using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Mean factor points were calculated and student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance were performed. Significance probability level was set at 0.001. Results: Factor analysis revealed nine factors: (1) Educational system, (2) Reputation at hospitals, (3) Support system for acquisition of certificate of clinical nurse specialist/certified nurse, (4) Reputation at hospitals as places of employment, (5) Knowledge of nursing philosophy and of culture of working places, (6) Reputation of teaching for students' clinical practice, (7) Working hours and leave privileges, (8) Salary and other allowances, (9) Support system for license acquisition. Data revealed that nurse administrators who employed new graduate registered nurses found their hospitals' attractive points were: educational system, support system to acquire certificate of clinical nurse specialist, reputation of hospital as place of employment, knowledge of nursing philosophy and culture of working places, teaching students' clinical practice, and salary and other allowances. Conclusion: Nurse administrators who have no difficulty recruiting nursing staff recognized that their hospital environments were considered appealing based on working hours and leave privileges.
Characteristics of Psychiatric
Research ArticleOpen Access
IntroductionToday's global nursing shortage is having an adverse impact on health systems around the world [1]. An insufficient supply of nurses, considered essential personnel, is a critical stressor for hospitals. Many hospitals are struggling with a nurse shortage. May, Bazzoli and Gerland [2] reported that the nurse shortages resulted from a combination of factors; Nurses salary, nurses' work environment, and long-term strategies for nurse education, student nurse and nurse faculty. The relationship between nurses' working conditions, such as high workload, and job dissatisfaction can lead to low morale, absenteeism, turnover, and poor job performance. In addition, prolonged shortages may also cause reduction in patient population, potentially threaten quality patient care, and organizational effectiven...