Factors associated with nursing care rationing in Poland: A cross-sectional observational study

: Nursing care rationing is a global issue, but its intensity may vary across countries depending on available resources and healthcare system characteristics.

: This study aimed to examine factors associated with the severity of nursing care rationing among Polish nurses.

: Cross-sectional observational study.

: Two university clinical hospitals in Szczecin, Poland.

The study involved 411 nurses working in 40 wards and clinics across both institutions.

: A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and work-related information, alongside standardized instruments: the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (INTE), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA). Descriptive statistics and both univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed.

: The severity of nursing care rationing was significantly associated with stress level (B = 0.039, p < 0.001) and emotional intelligence (B = -0.006, p = 0.002). Nurses with secondary education and those working under civil law contracts reported significantly higher levels of care rationing. Additionally, care rationing was more prevalent among hospital nurses compared to those in other settings.

: Low levels of emotional intelligence among Polish nurses coexist with high levels of stress and increased nursing care rationing. These findings indicate that emotional intelligence may serve as a protective factor that reduces the negative impact of stress on care provision.

: Not applicable.

: Rationing nursing care, in addition to the characteristics of the working environment, depends on the buffering role of emotional intelligence and the severity of stress experienced by nurses. #RationungNursingCare#QualityOfCare.