Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.65241/wh.8.2.3
Work environment of critical care nurses in Croatia: national cross-sectional survey
Jelena Slijepcevic
; Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Hrvatska, Služba za obrazovanje i profesionalni razvoj sestrinstva, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb
*
Sladjana Rezic
; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Katedra za sestrinstvo, Mlinarska cesta, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Adriano Friganovic
; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Katedra za sestrinstvo, Mlinarska cesta, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Evanthia Georgiu
; Εducation Sector, Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, 1 Prodromou & Chilonos Street 17, 1448 Nicosia, Cyprus
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Background: Working in a supportive, healthy environment
has a direct and positive impact on patient satisfaction and
is also closely linked to nurse retention, job satisfaction,
turnover, and burnout. The aim of the study was to focus
on the perceptions and experiences of critical care nurses
in Croatia.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted
using a self-administered questionnaire, the Healthy Work
Environment Assessment Tool, distributed to intensive
care nurses in Croatia. Data analysis was conducted using
R (version 4.1.0; R Core Team, 2021) and SPSS (version 26
for Windows). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the
state of critical care nurses’ work environments across the
six American Association of Critical-Care Nurses subscales.
Results: The mean scores for the implementation of the
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work
Environment. Standards at the unit level indicate moderate
levels across all six domains. Among 277 nurses, the highest
mean score was observed for Meaningful Recognition (M =
2.7, SD = 0.7), followed by True Collaboration and Authentic
Leadership (M = 2.5, SD = 0.6–0.7). Lower scores were reported
for Skilled Communication, Effective Decision-Making,
and Appropriate Staffing (M = 2.4, SD = 0.6–0.7). All mean
differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Targeted investments in staffing infrastructure,
leadership training, formal recognition systems, and
psychological safety protocols are crucial for fostering
healthier work environments, enhancing nurse retention,
and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Ključne riječi
Nurses; critical care; healthy work environment; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
343006
URI
Datum izdavanja:
24.12.2025.
Posjeta: 778 *