Developing a tool to measure the factors influencing nurses’ enjoyment of nursing

Aims and objectives To develop a tool to measure the influencing nurses’ enjoyment of nursing. Background Enjoyment in the workplace is an influential aspect found to boost work morale, job satisfaction leading to higher work retention which is important in nursing given the availability of nurses in the workforce. This study looks to refine the determinants of enjoyment from nurses in a large metropolitan hospital in western Sydney. Design Quantitative. Methods A 23‐item survey questionnaire was used to ask nurses to rate the determinants that affect their enjoyment of nursing on a five‐point Likert scale. The survey was distributed in a hard copy and online through a hospital‐wide broadcast. Demographic items were also collected. Results A total of 124 responses were received, of which 54 were from online and 70 from hard copy surveys. The data analysis found 16 determinants of enjoyment. Of these, four were perceived by over 80% of the nurses to negatively impact their enjoyment. In contrast, nine items showed a positive effect on enjoyment with educating others, connecting with others, variety of work, doing and sharing with others, supporting others being the most positive (≥89% of responses). Three items were considered neutral: criticism, busy workload and changing policies. Conclusions This study has added to the growing evidence on nurse enjoyment and its effects on job satisfaction. Nurses enjoy caring for patients and also find enjoyment and satisfaction in teaching others to care as well as socially connecting. Relevance to clinical practice Enjoyment seems to be one of the main reasons nurses continue to stay in nursing even though the system and people are not always supportive, encouraging or conducive to career development.