Analysis of the organizational climate and job satisfaction of the nursing team in pediatrics

INTRODUCTION The quality of care provided in pediatrics is closely related to the professionals’ work quality and influenced by relationships, conflicts and in general by the social and human aspects lived in teams and in the organization [1]. Organizational climate can affect healthcare workers’ performance, their job satisfaction and team effectiveness [2]. The aim of the study is to analyze perceived organizational climate and job satisfaction levels among nurses working in both pediatric wards and services. MATERIALS AND METHODS In December 2019, a descriptive study was conducted in a pediatric department in Italy, through the administration of a questionnaire to nurses, pediatric nurses, puericultures and social health workers. Validated scales (with Likert scale ranging from 1 = agree to 5 = disagree) were used to measure job satisfaction and organizational climate. RESUL TS 136 questionnaires of 204 administered (66.7%) were analyzed. The professionals were 87% female and 64% were over 50 years of age. 58% were nurses, 20% were social health workers, 16% were pediatric nurses and 6% were coordinator nurses. 62% of the professionals worked in healthcare for over 20 years and 31% of them had always worked in pediatrics. Professionals were on average highly satisfied with their work. Specifically, they were very satisfied with working relationship with their colleagues (M = 3.81) (the dialogue with them, exchanged advices, the opportunity to consult each other, and their consideration). They referred to be quite satisfied with the work content (M = 3.54) (the level of job autonomy, the sense of professional achievement, the results of their work, their role and responsibilities). Regarding general organizational climate, participants referred high level of satisfaction (M = 3.77). In addition, respondents agreed that available training opportunities were adequate (M = 3.16) to developing personal skills and improving professional competencies. CONCLUSION The study shows that respondents are overall satisfied with their work and perceive a positive organizational climate. As motivated professionals with positive feelings towards the organization are more likely to provide excellent care, it would be interesting launching a customer satisfaction survey involving children and their parents to assess their perceived level of nursing care. REFERENCES [1] Bonacci I, Cicellin M, Tamburis O. “Smart” healthcare organizations. An analysis of the organizational climate in a Hospital Paediatrics ward. Proceedings of IFKAD. Zagreb, Croatia: Institute of Knowledge Asset Management, 2013. [2] Attia MAS, Youseff, MRL, Abd El Fatah SA, Kamal S, Gomaa NAS. The relationship between health care providers’ perceived work climate, organizational commitment, and caring efficacy at pediatric intensive care units, Cairo University. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2020;35(2):469-81.