Work engagement status of registered nurses in pediatric units in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background This study aimed to evaluate the work engagement status of registered pediatric nurses and its relationship with personal- and work-related variables in selected hospitals. Personal- and work-related factors generally influence work engagement. However, data on work engagement in pediatric clinical practice are limited. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design, including 230 registered nurses working in pediatric units in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. A non-probability approach (convenience sampling) was adopted in recruiting the sample. Eight personal- and work-related variables were examined using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale shortened 9-item version. Results The overall mean scale score was 4.54 (standard deviation = 0.95). The dedication subscale showed the highest mean score (4.84), followed by the absorption (4.48) and vigor subscales (4.29). A higher work engagement score was associated with an older age (H = 17.892; p < 0.001), a non-Saudi nationality (Z = 5.724; p < 0.001), a higher educational level (Z = 3.178; p = 0.001), and a long duration of experience (>10 years) (H = 18.435; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the total scale score according to marital status (p = 0.077), current working unit (p = 0.063), and current working hours (p = 0.067). Conclusions Among registered pediatric nurses, work engagement is relatively high but is average in terms of the vigor component. To our knowledge, this research is the first to explore how work environment affects work engagement among pediatric nurses in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Updating Factors Influencing Nurse Work Engagement in the Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review

“…Yang, Hatanaka, Takahashi, Shimizu 34 revealed that the group with a university degree or higher has significantly lower scores on work engagement than those with diplomas. Alharbi, Alrwaitey 25 showed higher educational levels align with higher work engagement. Allande-Cussó, García-Iglesias, Ruiz-Frutos, Domínguez-Salas, Rodríguez-Domínguez, Gómez-Salgado 29 and Borges, Sequeira, Queirós, Mosteiro‐Díaz 27 called the educational level equal to the academic training level.…”

“…Socio-demographic characteristics are the inherent personal attributes of nurses that describe their social and demographic characteristics. These characteristics are not easily changed and include 14 factors from our review based on 13 studies, such as age, 23–27 gender, 27–31 marital status, 32 , 33 educational level, 25 , 34 physical condition, 28 monthly income, 30 number of children, 35 years of experience, 23 , 25–27 , 34 position at work, 23 , 28 , 32 , 33 employment status, 23 , 27 , 33 years in the present unit, 23 and nationality 25 , 27 ( Table 2 ). Socio-demographic characteristics can provide insights into broad trends or disparities within a group.…”

“…The older, the higher the engagement. Falguera, Labrague, De Los Santos, Firmo, Tsaras 23 Pericak, Hogg, Skalsky, Bourdeanu 24 Alharbi, Alrwaitey 25 Alkorashy, Alanazi 26 Borges, Sequeira, Queirós, Mosteiro‐Díaz 27 2 Gender (sex) There is a significant difference in work engagement according to gender (between male and female). Self-compassion’s impact on work engagement is moderated by gender 31 Zhang, Chen, Wang, Li, Li, Liu 28 Allande-Cussó, García-Iglesias, Ruiz-Frutos, Domínguez-Salas, Rodríguez-Domínguez, Gómez-Salgado 29 Borges, Sequeira, Queirós, Mosteiro‐Díaz 27 Tang, Zhang, Feng, Li, Zeng, Xie, Jin, Wang 30 Bahrami Nejad Joneghani, Bahrami Nejad Joneghani, Dustmohammadloo, Bouzari, Ebrahimi, Fekete-Farkas 31 3 Marital status (married) There is a significant correlation between marital status, especially those who are married, and increased engagement.…”

“…Nursing graduates and individuals with specialized university degrees demonstrate the highest levels of work engagement. Yang, Hatanaka, Takahashi, Shimizu 34 Alharbi, Alrwaitey 25 Allande-Cussó, García-Iglesias, Ruiz-Frutos, Domínguez-Salas, Rodríguez-Domínguez, Gómez-Salgado 29 Borges, Sequeira, Queirós, Mosteiro‐Díaz 27 5 Physical condition Positively related to work engagement. Zhang, Chen, Wang, Li, Li, Liu 28 6 Monthly income Positive correlation between monthly income and work engagement.…”

“… Fukuzaki, Iwata, Ooba, Takeda, Inoue 35 8 Years of experience Positive relationship between years of experience and work engagement. Alharbi, Alrwaitey 25 pointed specifically to experience of more than 10 years. In contrast, Yang, Hatanaka, Takahashi, Shimizu 34 revealed higher engagement for those with more than 6 years of nursing experience.…”