Work-Life Balance and its Associated Factors among Nurses Working in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Introduction
Work-life balance between professional and personal responsibillities strengthen employee loyalty and productivity. Poor work–life balance is associated with employee unhappiness, work–family conflict, job insecurity, and job dissatisfaction. This study aimed to assess the work–life balance of nurses and determine the factors associated with it.

Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 117 nurses working in a Tertiary Hospital selected by total enumeration sampling technique. Data was collected using a self administered questionaire on work-life balance based on standardardized tool developed by Banu and Duraipandian. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequency,percentage, mean, Standard deviation) and inferential statistics  (Chi-square test, logistic regression analysis).  

Results
Out of 117 respondents, 57 (48.7%) nurses reported a moderate level and 48 (41%) reported low level of work-life balance. Only 10.3% had high work-life balance.The scores for workplace support, work interference with personal life, personal life interference with work, satisfaction with work-life balance and improved effectiveness at work were 3.1±1.0, 2.9±1.1, 3.3±1.1, 3.3±1.1, 3.5±1.0 respectively. There was statistically significant association of work life balance with working experience (p=0.006) and travel distance from home to hospital (p=0.001). There was no any statistically association with weekly working hours, type of job, level of income, working department and mode of transport.

Conclusion
Nearly half of the nurses were found to have maintained a moderately balanced state of work-life. However, those with longer work experience and reported lower level of work-life balance compared to their less experience counterparts. Additionally, the distance traveled to work significantly influenced work-life balance.