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Factors affecting work ability index among polish nurses working in hospitals – A prospective observational survey
Author(s) -
Rypicz Łukasz,
Witczak Izabela,
Rosińczuk Joanna,
Karniej Piotr,
Kołcz Anna
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13192
Subject(s) - seniority , observational study , affect (linguistics) , context (archaeology) , work (physics) , nursing management , economic shortage , nursing , medicine , index (typography) , productivity , psychology , gerontology , mechanical engineering , pathology , world wide web , computer science , engineering , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , macroeconomics , communication , government (linguistics) , political science , law , economics , biology
Aims To assess the ability to work of Polish nurses by age groups. Background The ability to work is widely discussed in the literature in the context of nurses' productivity; thus, it is necessary to identify the ability to work when facing an increasing demand for services. Methods The observational study involved 349 professionally active nurses aged 46.9 ± 9.7 years, with a length of service of 23.5 ± 9.6 years. The Work Ability Index (WAI) was used to assess the nurses' ability to work. Results The ability to work decreases with age ( r s = −0.324, p < .000) and with seniority ( r s = −0.257; p < .000). Nurses with higher education presented higher Work Ability Index scores. Also, the age ( B = −0.25, p < .001), work seniority ( B = −0.19, p < .001) and education (masters' degree: B = 1.41, p = .012; ref. secondary) affect work ability. Conclusions The ageing process and seniority of nurses negatively affect their ability to work. A lack of programmes to maintain physical condition for nurses can result in a shortage of staff. Implications for nursing management Programmes can be developed to create or improve healthy working environments to increase productivity.