Work Related Perceptions among Nursing Staff in Tertiary Care Hospital Of Mumbai, India

Objective: (1) To assess the work load and job satisfaction among Nursing staff. (2) To assess special provisions available for them. Materials and Methodology: The present descriptive epidemiological study which had adopted exploratory survey design was carried out during July 2009 to June 2010 in Topiwala National Medical College and Nair Hospital (Twin Institute), a Tertiary Health Care Hospital in Mumbai, India after taking prior approval from higher authorities. Representative group of 60 (females) nursing staff (48 staff nurses and 12 sister in-charge) were selected by simple random method and interviewed using pre-formed, pre-tested semi structured interview schedule. Results: Majority of nursing staff members (88.3%) did not receive job orientation. Average number of problems stated by Sisters in-charge was 2.5 and that of Staff nurses was 5.14. Two third of Sisters in-charge (66.67%) and half of the Staff nurses (52.88%) had expressed dissatisfaction. Most common reason reported was shortage of staff and servants and hence the overwork, mental stress and burnt out phenomenon. None of the nursing staff had clear idea about expected ‘nurses: bed ratio’ as per the guidelines of the nursing council of India. Conclusion and Recommendations: Dissatisfaction among most of the staff members deserves proper attention. The problems need to be appropriately quantified and whatever measures which can be undertaken immediately should be initiated at earliest. Emphasis should be given on long term planning of professional development of nursing staff rather than promoting only service aspects.