A new approach to the prevention of nursing care rationing: Cross‐sectional study on positive orientation.

Aims: To assess the effects of nurses' life satisfaction and life orientation on the level of nursing care rationing. Background: Best practice within human resource management argues that striving for a positive orientation within the workforce may create a friendly work environment that could promote the employee's development and job satisfaction in a health care organisation. Methods: A total of 547 nurses were enrolled and assessed using three self‐report scales: the Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care‐R (BERCA‐R), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Life Orientation Test (LOT‐R). Then, the data were submitted into bivariate analyses. Results: More pessimistic nurses with low and moderate levels of life satisfaction, and those with a neutral life orientation, presented with significantly higher BERCA‐R scores than those who were more optimistic and who had high levels of life satisfaction. Conclusions: Nursing care rationing depends on psychological factors of life satisfaction and life orientation. Low levels of satisfaction with life and a more pessimistic life orientation negatively contribute towards a higher prevalence of nursing care rationing. Implications for nursing management: Nursing management policies, including intervention management, should consider ensuring positive orientation is in place to increase job satisfaction and optimism in health care workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]