QUALITY OF WORKING LIFE OF NURSES AT A PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN PORTUGAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The quality of life at work – QLW can have several implications for business management, such as: talent retention, impact on productivity, costs, customer service and the organization's image. In the health area, offering emotional support and QWL for nurses is fundamental for the development of work activities. Likewise, it can satisfy employees, keeping them happy, healthy, safe, informed, updated, engaged and committed to their professional development and to their company. In this sense, this study aimed to understand the satisfaction/dissatisfaction aspects of the QWL of Nurses at a private hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic. To this end, a qualitative research was carried out, through interviews with ten nurses, content analysis, direct observation and registration in a field diary. The main negative results (dissatisfaction) were identified as physical and emotional fatigue; sleep disorders and insufficient in-service training; As positive results (satisfaction) identified the presence of PPE in satisfactory quantity; support from superiors; good relational environment; good sense of mutual help in the multidisciplinary team. It was thus concluded that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was significant on the nurses' personal and professional quality of life, causing physical and mental challenges due to the high demand for health care.