Effect of Professional Quality of Life on the Professional Self-Concept of Intensive Care Unit Nurses in Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the professional self-concept of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods : Data were collected from July 1 to August 15, 2014. The subjects were 206 ICU nurses working in four university hospitals in B and U cities, Korea. Their professional self-concept was measured using Arthur's Scale revised by Yoon (2012), and professional quality of life (QOL) was measured using Pro QOL Korean Ver. 5 developed by Stamm (2010). Data were analyzed with SPSS Ver. 18, using a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results : Professional self-concept was significantly correlated with compassion satisfaction (r=.61, p<.001), and burn out (r=-.57, p<.001). The factors influencing professional self-concept were compassion satisfaction (=.46, p<.001), burn out (=-.27, p<.001), and education level (=.14, p =.014). The explanatory power of this model was 46.5%. Conclusion : The results suggest that the influencing factors found in this study should be considered when planning nursing intervention programs for improving the professional self-concept of ICU nurses.