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The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in work-life balance (WLB) between hospital nurses and female wage workers and to investigate its effect on job satisfaction and turnover intention.
This exploratory comparative study used data from five general hospital nurses (n=437) and college-graduate level female wage workers (n=786). After propensity score matching, the effects of WLB subtypes (work→life balance, life→work balance) on job satisfaction and turnover intention were analyzed.
Hospital nurses had lower levels of WLB subtypes (2.6±0.5, 2.6±0.5), lower job satisfaction (2.8±0.7), higher turnover intention rate (65.5%) than wage workers (3.1±0.4, 2.9±0.4, 3.5±0.5, 1.7%). Analysis of job satisfaction showed significant relationship between work→life balance and job satisfaction in both groups (β=0.32, p≤.001; β=0.18, p=.004). Second, the analysis of turnover intention differed between the two groups. Among hospital nurses, the higher the level of work→life balance, the lower the turnover intention rate (OR=0.49, p=.015), while among wage workers, the opposite was true (OR=0.29, p=.038).
The level of WLB of hospital nurses was relatively low, negatively affecting job satisfaction and turnover intentions. Despite being one of the major female professions, the nursing occupation lacks support for WLB, suggesting a need for tailored support through organizational and social systems.
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