Does self-scheduling increase nurses’ job satisfaction? An integrative literature review
Date
2014-04-11
Authors
Koning, Clare
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Abstract
Background: Flexible work schedules give nurses the freedom and control to manage demands
of work and life, while allowing the organisation to meet their staffing needs.
Aim: To explore nurses’ perceptions of their job satisfaction and its relationship to selfscheduling.
Significant to Nursing Practice and Leadership: Nurses and nurse leaders have the potential to
change the way scheduling of their work shifts takes place. Understanding the complex context
in which self-scheduling occurs requires research and collaboration to ensure that nurses’ job
satisfaction is maintained while meeting organisational obligations. One strategy to accomplish
this is through the introduction and support of a self-scheduling system that has potential to
balance the individual needs of nurses as well as the organisation.
Methods: An integrative review of published peer-reviewed research and personal narratives that
examine nurses self-scheduling and job satisfaction is the method of this inquiry. Quality
appraisals were completed on all included articles.
Results: A total of nine articles, including personal narratives, satisfied the inclusion criteria.
Current evidence suggests that self-scheduling is one of a number of factors that influence job
satisfaction However, implementation of self-scheduling programs is not without its challenges.
Conclusion: The findings of this integrative literature review indicate that self-scheduling
programs underpin more flexible work schedules for nurses and may result in benefits for both
nurses and the organisation.
Keywords: nursing, self-scheduling, jobs satisfaction, advanced practice nurse
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Keywords
nursing, self-scheduling, jobs satisfaction, advanced practice nurse