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Learning Objective 1: Develop knowledge and understanding of the work environment of HHC nurses and the associated workplace hazards they report encountering.
Learning Objective 2: Synthesize and appreciate the level of work stress reported by HHC nurses and the measurement of work stress relative to the shortage of HHC nurses.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the level of job stress/strain associated with a low job satisfaction and intent to leave reported by HHC RNs practicing in the state of Maryland.
Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the data collected from 794 HHC RNs participating in a 2006 study exploring hazard exposures in homecare. A mixed-methods analysis was conducted including quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Results: Of the 206 HHC RNs that provided a narrative, 27.2% (n=56) reported an intent to leave or had already left their HHC positions. The six most frequent categories reported in the HHC RNs narratives included; negative organizational traits, work stress, love homecare, overwhelming paperwork, inadequate financial compensation, nurse attrition/intent to leave. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated reward as a significant predictor of good job satisfaction for all groups. Overcommitment and effort were significant predictors of low job satisfaction. Elevated ERI scores were reported for respondents with (77.2%) and without (35.0%) narratives indicating the respondents with narratives reported a higher incidence of elevated ERI scores compared to those without narratives.
Conclusions: Many HHC RNs noted improvement is needed in their work environment. Job strain/stress is evident among HHC RNs and aspects of effort, reward, and overcommitment were found to be associated with low job satisfaction but no association with intent to leave.