title: Critical analysis of 2 nurse perception instruments: the Index of Work Satisfaction and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study provides a critical comparison and analysis of the Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS) and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nurses' perception of work environment is of critical importance and is linked to patient safety. Two widely accepted instruments, the IWS and the PES-NWI, are used in the process of Magnet designation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used existing data that measured nurses' perception of work environment using the IWS and PES-NWI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses reported a positive perception of work environment as measured by both the IWS and PES-NWI. Perception of work environment as measured by the IWS was significantly lower compared with the PES-NWI (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was conceptual overlap between the subscales of the IWS and PES-NWI, the differences in the constructs that each tool measured culminated with significant differences in overall scores.
authors.affiliation: Wegmans School of Nursing, St John Fisher College, Rochester, NY 14618, USA. cboev@sjfc.edu
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*