Selected Aspects of Life Quality of Nurses Working at Neurological Wards

Abstract

Introduction. The term “quality of life” (QL) initially defined “good life” determined by the resource of owned material goods. Later, it was extended to the term “to be” instead of just “to have”. Nurses perform a responsible job, often requiring sacrifices. They work with seriously ill patients at the neurology ward. Working with an ill patient is very difficult. A nurse carrying out her professional tasks is subject to numerous challenges, both mental and physical, which may affect the quality of life of this professional group.
Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of nurses working at neurological departments.
Material and Methods. The study was conducted in a group of 109 nurses working at the neurological departments of hospitals in Lublin and Chelm. The study used a standardized research tool: WHOQOL-Bref scale.
Results. The surveyed nurses evaluated the overall quality of life and health status on the same level, respectively: 3.70±0.70 and 3.60±0.80. The field of social relations was the highest rated (71.70±16.10), while the lowest assessed field of psychological (61.00±13.30).
Conclusions. The quality of life of nurses working at neurological wards was at the average level. The surveyed nurses assessed highest the quality of life as the highest in terms of social relations. The level of professional education significantly differentiated the quality of life of the surveyed nurses. The higher the education, the better the quality of life. (JNNN 2016;5(4):151–155)