Does self-scheduling increase nurses' job satisfaction? An integrative literature review

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Flexible work schedules are increasingly recognized for their potential to improve work-life balance and job satisfaction among nurses.
• Healthcare organizations face challenges in meeting staffing needs while supporting employee well-being.
• Nurses' perceptions of their work environment significantly impact retention and overall job satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine nurses' perceptions of the relationship between job satisfaction and self-scheduling systems.
• To synthesize findings from published peer-reviewed research and personal narratives on this topic.
• To identify factors influencing the effectiveness and sustainability of self-scheduling in nursing.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review methodology was employed.
• The review included published peer-reviewed research articles.
• Personal narratives from nurses were also incorporated to provide diverse perspectives.

Main Results:

• Self-scheduling is identified as a significant factor influencing nurses' job satisfaction.
• Implementing and sustaining self-scheduling systems can present practical challenges for healthcare organizations.
• These programs support more flexible work schedules, benefiting both nurses and their employers.

Conclusions:

• Self-scheduling programs offer a pathway to enhanced job satisfaction and flexibility for nurses.
• Addressing implementation challenges is crucial for the successful adoption of self-scheduling.
• Flexible work arrangements, including self-scheduling, positively impact nurses and healthcare organizations.