QUALITY OF WORKING LIFE AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE WORK OF NURSE EDUCATORS

Abstract

Objective: To identify the occupational factors affecting the quality of working life of nurse educators and design strategies to improve it. Material and Method: Descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study, developed with a focus on critical epidemiology, conducted at a nursing school in Chile. The research subjects corresponded to 17 nurse educators, who were given individual semi-structured interviews and 9 participated in a focus group. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution. Results: Regarding the category Quality of Life, the following subcategories were established: Positive Human Relations, Favorable Environment, Well-being/Satisfaction and Stress. In the category Improvement Strategies, the subcategories From the Employer and From the Worker emerged. Conclusions: Nurses who work as educators see their quality of life affected by occupational factors, so that improvement strategies are needed from the employing institution as well as from the worker.