Gender Differences in Nursing Work Environment and Perceived Nursing Quality: A Mixed-Methods Study With Emerging...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Gender Studies

Background:

• The nursing work environment significantly influences the quality of care delivered.
• Understanding gender-specific factors within this environment is crucial for optimizing nurse satisfaction and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how gender differences in the nursing work environment shape nurses' perceived quality of care.
• To identify gender-specific predictors and evaluative mechanisms influencing care quality perceptions.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods design integrating quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Quantitative phase: Secondary analysis of a large national dataset (N=16,382) using hierarchical linear regression, relative importance analysis, and network analysis.
• Qualitative phase: Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 clinical nurses (15 male, 15 female) to explore gender-differentiated experiences.

Main Results:

• Gender-differentiated work environment factors significantly shape perceived care quality.
• Professional development was the strongest predictor for female nurses; recognition of value was most salient for male nurses.
• Both genders reported high workloads hindering humanistic care, causing moral distress and emotional suppression.

Conclusions:

• Gender differences in the nursing work environment create distinct pathways to perceived care quality, highlighting managerial and ethical challenges.
• A gender-sensitive, ethics-oriented management approach can enhance nurse satisfaction and care quality.
• Tailored strategies for professional development (women) and recognition (men), coupled with ethical support, can improve workforce well-being and patient outcomes.