Nursing job satisfaction, certification and healthcare-associated infections in critical care

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nursing job satisfaction and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in adult critical care.

Methods: Multilevel modelling was used to examine the relationship between nursing job satisfaction and two HAIs, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).

Results: Units with nurses that reported satisfaction with organisational policies were associated with a 6.08 decrease in VAP (p=0.013) and units with nurses reporting favourable perception of task requirements were associated with a 7.02 decrease in VAP (.014). Positive perception of organisational policies was associated with lower rates of CLABSI (p=0.002). Unexpected findings include a positive relationship between perception of pay and autonomy and CLABSI as well as perception of interactions and VAP. Units with a higher proportion of Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certified nurses were associated with lower rates of both CLABSI (p<0.001) and VAP (p=0.037).

Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence to support the relationship between nursing job satisfaction and HAIs in critical care, although some relationships were counterintuitive. A secondary finding included significant relationships between CCRN certified nurses and HAIs.

Keywords: Certification; Healthcare-associated infections; Multilevel modelling; Nursing job satisfaction; Work environment.