THE INSTRUMENTS MEASURING NURSES WORK QUALITY SATISFACTION: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses’ satisfaction with work quality is a key indicator of professional well-being, service quality, and organizational performance in healthcare. Accurate measurement is essential for identifying factors influencing nurse retention, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based management strategies. However, the diversity of instruments and their varying applicability challenge consistent assessment across different settings. Methods: This scoping review systematically identified and analyzed instruments measuring nurses’ satisfaction with work quality. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature searches were conducted across PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, targeting peer-reviewed articles published from 2020–2024. Eligible studies included those reporting instrument development, validation, or application in clinical or educational nursing contexts. Data were synthesized using thematic analysis. Results: Seven instruments were identified: Nurses’ Quality of Work Life Scale (NQWL), Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), Work-Related Quality of Life Scale–Thailand version (WRQLS-2), Nursing Workplace Satisfaction Questionnaire (NWSQ), Work Quality Index (WQI), Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS), and Nurses’ Work Values Scale (WVS). These instruments vary in conceptual frameworks, dimensions, psychometric properties, and contexts. Most demonstrated high reliability (α ≥ 0.90) and validity, yet challenges remain in conceptual consistency, cross-cultural validation, and generalizability across diverse healthcare settings. Conclusion: No universal instrument currently exists to measure nurses’ work quality satisfaction across all contexts. Findings highlight the need for culturally adapted, context-sensitive, and multidimensional instruments. This review offers an evidence-based reference for selecting measurement tools and guides future development of comprehensive instruments supporting nursing workforce sustainability and quality improvement.