Nurses Perception of the Health of the Work Environment in Hospitals With Nursing Workplace Environment and Staffing Councils

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the differences in nurse-reported health of their work environment, job enjoyment, and intent to leave among those employed at New Jersey hospitals with Nursing Workplace Environment and Staffing Councils (NWESC). BACKGROUND As an alternative to staffing ratio legislation, NWESC provides clinical nurses a structured venue to influence human resource allocation decisions and improve the health of the work environment. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional statewide study was conducted. RESULTS Nurses at NWESC hospitals reported healthier work environments compared with nurses at hospitals without NWESC when controlling for Magnet ® designation, job role, and degree ( β = 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01, 0.23, P = 0.039). Magnet ® hospitals with NWESC have the healthiest work environments ( β = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.01-0.31, P = 0.031). CONCLUSION Findings from this state-wide study demonstrate that nurses working at hospitals with NWESC have significantly healthier work environments with nurses practicing at Magnet hospitals, with NWESC having the healthiest work environments. The additive effect of NWESC on the health of the work environment highlights the importance that NWESC provides as the foundational infrastructure and a viable alternative to staffing ratio legislation.