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Work/Family Conflicts Linked to Nursing Shortage

Researchers at Wake Forest University in North Carolina have shown what many suspected: There is a clear link between work and family conflicts among nurses. Schedule juggling and work intensity have made it increasingly difficult for nurses to keep a healthy balance in their lives.

According to the report’s author, Joseph Grzywacz, work/family conflicts can persuade nurses to abandon the job for another career or make them less willing to enter the profession to begin with. The study surveyed nearly 2,000 nurses and asked them questions such as how frequently job duties kept them from spending enough time with their families, or conflicted with home responsibilities like yard work, cooking and child care.

The study also found that work/family conflicts are associated with lower job satisfaction, fatigue, burnout and emotional distress or depressive symptoms.

The findings come at a time when some facilities are experimenting with creative ways to attract and retain their nurse workforce. For example, some Maryland hospitals now offer concierge-type services to their employees.

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