Job demand and control among clinical nurses in a provincial hospital and related factors: Results from a cross-sectional study in 2020.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the psychological work environments and associated factors among clinical nurses in a provincial tertiary hospital in the North of Vietnam in 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all nurses of 22 clinical wards who directly provided care to patients. 261/318 eligible nurses returned the self-reported survey questionnaires that consisted of the Vietnamese version of the Job Content Questionnaire 22 items and originally developed questions on personal characteristics and work conditions. Descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and multivariate linear regressions were applied to describe the current job demand, job control, and related factors at the significant level p less than 0.05. Results: The response rate of the current study was 82.1%. Nurses reported moderate job demand (29.39±3.64) and job control (66.86±5.79). Increased job control was significantly associated with more frequency of receiving support from superiors (p<0.001), a self-perceived opportunity of promotion (p = 0.011), and more night shifts per week (p=0.004). Less support from co-workers and more night shifts were associated with a higher job demand score among study participants (p = 0.041 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: Several nurses in the provincial hospital work in unfavorable work environments with high job demand and low job control, which could adversely affect nurses’ well-being. It is essential to promote social support at work to improve the psychological working conditions and performance of study participants. Keywords: Job demand, Job control, JCQ, clinical nurses, provincial hospital, Vietnam