ORIGINAL PAPER
The relationship between quality of work life and location of cross-training among obstetric nurses in urban northeastern Ontario, Canada: A population-based cross sectional study
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Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Interdisciplinary PhD Program)
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Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health)
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Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Schools of Rural and Northern Health, Social Work, and Human Sciences Division)
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Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada (Centres for Flexible Teaching and Learning)
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Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (School of Human Kinetics and Northern Ontario School of Medicine)
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Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Centre for Rural and Northern and Health Research)
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Health Sciences North, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Corresponding author
Behdin Nowrouzi
Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, Canada
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2015;28(3):571-86
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the quality of work life of registered nurses working in obstetrics at 4 hospitals in northeastern Ontario and explore demographic and occupational factors related to nurses’ quality of work life (QWL). Material and Methods: A stratified random sample of registered nurses (N = 111) selected from the 138 eligible registered nurses (80.4%) of staff in the labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum areas at the 4 hospitals participated. Logistic regression analyses were used to consider QWL in relation to the following: 1) demographic factors, and 2) stress, employment status and
educational attainment. Results: In the logistic regression model, the odds of a higher quality of work life for nurses who were cross trained (nurses who can work across all areas of obstetrical care) were estimated to be 3.82 (odds ratio = 3.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–14.5) times the odds of a higher quality of work life for nurses who were not cross trained. Conclusions: This study highlights a relationship between quality of work life and associated factors including location of cross-training among obstetrical nurses in northeastern Ontario. These findings are supported by the qualitative interviews that examine in depth their relationship to QWL. Given the limited number of employment opportunities in the rural and remote regions, it is paramount that employers and employees work closely together in creating positive environments that promote nurses’ QWL.