Perceived level of teamwork as reported by registered nurses: a cross-sectional study

While teamwork is widely recognized as essential to safe and high-quality nursing care, its evaluation has been underexplored in Central and Eastern Europe. This study offers original insights by systematically assessing nursing teamwork in Slovak public hospitals. By identifying strengths and weaknesses in team dynamics through structured evaluation, it becomes possible to implement targeted, context-specific improvements that reflect the realities of the local healthcare system.

This study aimed to explore how registered nurses (RNs) perceive the level of teamwork in selected public hospitals in Slovakia and to identify key factors that influence these perceptions, addressing a significant gap in research within the Central and Eastern European healthcare context.

The cross-sectional study.

The study included 346 RNs from four selected hospitals in the Slovak Republic. Data were collected using the Nursing Teamwork Survey (NTS) instrument between April 2022 and February 2023 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Registered nurses perceived moderate teamwork during their last working shift. Perceived level of teamwork was significantly influenced by the unit type, the number of overtime hours in the past month, and the intention to leave the position. The results show significant associations between the perceived level of teamwork and overall job satisfaction, job satisfaction in the current position, satisfaction with teamwork, and overall patient safety level. Several variables were found to be significant predictors of teamwork among RNs (p ≤ 0.05).

Effective teamwork among nurses is crucial for optimal patient outcomes. The study highlights the importance of enhancing teamwork in the Slovak healthcare setting and identifies factors influencing nurses' perceptions of teamwork. Addressing these factors can lead to a more positive teamwork environment and improved work satisfaction among nursing professionals. Targeted interventions based on identified predictors could be beneficial in achieving this goal.