Job performance and associated factors among nurses working in adult emergency departments at selected public hospitals in Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Optimizing the performance level of nursing staff is crucial for the efficient functioning of hospitals and better patient health outcomes. However, published data on the job performance levels and associated factors of nurses in Ethiopia is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the job performance and associated factors of nurses working in adult emergency departments at selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to April 25, 2023, among 172 nurses working in the adult emergency departments of selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using pretested, self-administered structured questionnaires. Data were coded, entered into Epi-data version 4.6, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS) Version 27.0.1 software. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics, including mean, frequency, and standard deviation. A binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with the performance of nurses. The strength of the association was measured using an adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The majority of nurses, 70.5% (95% CI: 63.7–77.3), rated their job performance as good. Workload [AOR = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.19–2.44)], remuneration [AOR = 1.89 (95% CI: 1.35–2.67)], rewards [AOR = 1.50 (95% CI: 1.01–2.23)], objectives to be achieved [AOR = 1.88 (95% CI: 1.32–2.67)], and feedback on performance appraisals [AOR = 1.65 (95% CI: 1.17–2.33)] were identified as significantly associated with nurses’ performance. Conclusion While the majority of nurses rated their job performance as good, it is important to note that a relevant proportion of nurses rated their job performance as poor. The findings of this study identified that nurses’ performance is influenced by several key factors, including workload, remuneration, rewards, objectives to be achieved, and feedback on performance appraisals. Our findings call for improving nurses’ job performance; therefore, hospitals should consider implementing systems that effectively utilize performance appraisal results and recognize and encourage hardworking nurses.