INDIVIDUAL AND OCCUPATIONAL COMPONENTS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF WORK LIFE OF NURSES IN THE COVID-19 PATIENTS CARE UNIT

Background & Aims: In the conditions of the COVID-19 epidemic, due to the excessive tension and stress of the nurses in the units caring these patients, it is very important to identify and improve the effective components in the quality of the working life of the nurses; In this regard, the present research was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the personal and professional components of the quality of work life of the nurses in the COVID-19 patients care units in Isfahan. Materials & Methods: The present study was a qualitative- quantitative type. In the qualitative part, the content analysis method was used and in the quantitative part, the descriptive-survey method was used. The statistical population included nurses working in the COVID-19 patients care unit in the hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. In the qualitative part of the content analysis method, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 12 nurses in a purposeful manner. In the quantitative part, 300 nurses were selected by available sampling method and the components identified by Friedman test were prioritized using a researcher-made questionnaire. Results: The individual components of the quality of working life, were categorized in the form of 8 subcategories including: Work-family balance, acceptance of the sufferings and distress of the current reality of the workplace, flexibility and adaptation to the current conditions of the COVID-19 crisis in the workplace, job-personality fit, work conscience, self-sacrifice and self-sacrifice in the workplace, hope and positively thinking in the workplace, and taking risks in the workplace. Occupational components of quality of work life ere categorized in the form of 8 sub-categories in order of priority include; Workload, job benefits and benefits, job and family worries and stresses, job burnout, job security, job enthusiasm and attachment, the imposition of restrictions on social relationships, independence, and job autonomy. Conclusion: The results of the present study may be used in health policies to increase the quality of work life of nurses in the care of patients with COVID-19.