[Work satisfaction and working conditions of the nursing staff as the basis of internal interventions]

Satisfaction and working conditions of nursing staff as a basis for internal interventions Can analyzing the working situation of nursing staff by means of a questionnaire contribute to improving working conditions and thus reduce fluctuation and increase work-satisfaction? This was the basic question of this investigation and aimed at creating an instrument that could help work out existing resources and strategies for possible interventions. Therefore, an anonymous questionnaire containing 114 questions concerning the current situation was presented to the nursing staff in two departments of internal medicine and one surgical department of a university hospital in southern Germany in April 1993. Analysis of the data of the different working fields (ordinary/intensive care, clinics) showed individual differences regarding resources and possible interventions. Furthermore, the assumption could be confirmed that by means of such a project the nursing management gains specific starting points for the preparation of change. The prospects of improving working conditions seem quite good, as these findings are based upon the statements of the staff concerned. It has to be emphasized that the nursing staff were able to identify themselves with the conclusions when the results were presented to them.