Working as a nurse manager and being in the middle of one’s career is connected to lower work well-being

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Due to shortage in workforce and difficulties in recruiting social and health-care managers, it is crucial to investigate and develop the work well-being of managers. The existing evidence mostly concerns clinical contexts in social and health-care. We studied work well-being through the following categories: (1) individual factors, (2) social factors, (3) professional support from the manager, (4) work-related factors, and (5) organizational factors. The study aims to investigate (1) management levels, (2) years of experience in management, and (3) professional groups that are connected to their work well-being in these categories. Methods We conducted a survey (N = 281) and formed logistic regression models to answer the research questions. Results Working as an upper-level manager, having more than 26 years of managerial experience, and working as a physician or in a group ‘other’ are factors that are positively connected to work wellbeing. While in the middle of one’s managerial career (6–25 years) or working as a nurse manager is negatively connected to work well-being. Conclusions This study produces specific knowledge to understand the factors connected to social and health-care managers’ work well-being and to identify those groups that are at a risk of experiencing poor well-being at work.