Nurses’ quality of work life: Determinants of job satisfaction and intent to leave in a tertiary health Centre, eastern province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships among nurses' quality of work life (QNWL), their level of job satisfaction, and their propensity to leave their jobs, Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2022 involving 252 nurses, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire assessing: (1) demographic and professional characteristics, (2) Quality of Nursing Work Life (QNWL), (3) a single-item measure of turnover intention, and (4) the Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS). The results indicated a positive association between QNWL and job satisfaction (β = 0.67, p < 0.001). Conversely, higher job satisfaction was significantly linked to lower turnover intention (β = -0.36, p < 0.001). QNWL additionally exerted a direct negative effect on turnover intention (β = -0.29, p < 0.001). Job satisfaction partially mediated the QNWL-turnover intention relationship, demonstrating complementary influence. This study identified professional status as nurses' highest satisfaction subdomain and pay as the lowest. For QNWL, work context scored highest, while work world scored lowest. These findings underscore QNWL's critical influence on the quality of patient care. Developing interventions to enhance nurses' working conditions is crucial for improving retention and, ultimately, patient outcomes.