Impact of a Shift Work Improvement System on Nurses' Work-Life Balance, Turnover Intention, and Teamwork
10.22650/JKCNR.2026.32.1.45
- Author:
Hye Bhin RYU
1
;
Eun Young KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, Dong-A University Hospital College of Nursing, Dong-A University
- From:
Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
2026;32(1):45-53
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study aimed to compare work-life balance, turnover intention, and teamwork between nurses in wards participating in a shift work improvement pilot program and those in non-participating wards.
Methods:In this comparative descriptive study, 201 nurses working at D University hospital located in B city, including 71 participants in the pilot program and 130 non-participants. Data were collected from August 1 to August 31, 2025, using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0 including descriptive statistics, t-tests, χ2 tests, and one-way ANOVA.
Results:The results of this study indicated that participation in the shift improvement pilot program significantly enhanced nurses' work-life balance (t=2.03, p=.044), particularly in the work-leisure (t=2.42, p=.016) and work-growth (t=2.00, p=.047), whereas no significant differences were found in turnover intention or teamwork between the groups. Regarding individual characteristics, work-life balance was significantly higher among unmarried and male nurses (t=2.23, p=.029). Turnover intention was notably higher among those with a bachelor’s degree or lower (t=2.56, p=.012) and those with 3 to 5 years of experience in their current department (F=4.63, p=.012). Teamwork was reported at higher levels by nurses with less than 3 years of experience (F=3.45, p=.035).
Conclusion:Participation in the shift work improvement pilot program was associated with higher work-life balance, particularly in relation to leisure and professional growth. However, participation was not associated with differences in turnover intention or teamwork, suggesting that these outcomes may be influenced by factors beyond shift work arrangements.
