Evolution of an Instrument: Measuring the Nursing Work Environment: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The Nursing Work Index (NWI) was developed in the 1980s to measure the nursing work environment (NWE). Instruments descended from the NWI continue to measure the NWE today. The purpose of this review was to identify instruments derived from the NWI, examine how they have been used and revised, and evaluate their ability to capture elements of the current work environment. Methods: A scoping literature review. Results: Forty articles were included. Instruments developed from the NWI have been translated into numerous languages and administered to hundreds of thousands of nurses globally. Conclusions: The study of the NWE remains extensive throughout the world. Future research should examine the factorial structure of instrument adaptions and ensure that items are relevant to contemporary nursing practice.

Keywords: instrumentation; measurement; nursing work environment; nursing workforce; psychometrics.