Awareness of work- life balance among Nurses in Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa

Abstract

"Work-life balance" is about striking a balance between one's personal and professional lives. Achieving work-life balance is a crucial challenge for nurses, balancing demanding shifts, patient care, and personal life. It involves managing stress, maintaining mental and physical health, and nurturing personal relationships amidst a demanding profession that often requires long hours and emotional intensity. Effective support systems, flexible schedules, and self-care strategies are essential for nurses to sustain their well-being and continue providing high quality care. This study aimed to describe nurses’ perception towards their personal and professional life, identify the strategies adopted by nurses to maintain the work life balance, and to identify the key factors influencing to maintain appropriate work life balance. Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Registered Nursing Officers who are currently working at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa. The data collection was done within May 2024. A total of 260 participants were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data using Statistical package for the social sciences 25.0 (SPSS 25.0). A total of 260 nurses participated in this study of which 101 (38.8%) were males and 159 (61.2%) were females. The majority (92.69%) of the participants had awareness about work life balance (WLB), while 7.31% did not. Varied opinions on quality personal time with family (42.3%) and satisfactory work-life balance (40%) was seen. About 66% of participants felt that their work interfered with their personal life. Strategies for balance included time management, self-care, and support from colleagues. Even though income satisfaction was low, job security and supervisory support were viewed positively. Work demands significantly impacted personal life, with 53% agreeing that it encroach into personal time. Despite challenges, 57.3% would recommend the hospital as a good workplace, indicating a generally favorable view. Nurses at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa had good awareness about work-life balance but limited high insight of their current work- life balance. Various strategies and influencing factors were noted, with improvements needed through periodic assessments and goal setting.