title: The relationship between quality of work life and location of cross-training among obstetric nurses in urban northeastern Ontario, Canada: A population-based cross sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the quality of work life of registered nurses working in obstetrics at 4 hospitals in northeastern Ontario and explore demographic and occupational factors related to nurses' quality of work life (QWL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified random sample of registered nurses (N = 111) selected from the 138 eligible registered nurses (80.4%) of staff in the labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum areas at the 4 hospitals participated. Logistic regression analyses were used to consider QWL in relation to the following: 1) demographic factors, and 2) stress, employment status and educational attainment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the logistic regression model, the odds of a higher quality of work life for nurses who were cross trained (nurses who can work across all areas of obstetrical care) were estimated to be 3.82 (odds ratio = 3.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-14.5) times the odds of a higher quality of work life for nurses who were not cross trained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights a relationship between quality of work life and associated factors including location of cross-training among obstetrical nurses in northeastern Ontario. These findings are supported by the qualitative interviews that examine in depth their relationship to QWL. Given the limited number of employment opportunities in the rural and remote regions, it is paramount that employers and employees work closely together in creating positive environments that promote nurses' QWL.
authors.affiliation: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Interdisciplinary PhD Program). bx_nowrouzi@laurentian.ca.
authors.forename: Behdin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nowrouzi
authors.affiliation: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health).
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lightfoot
authors.affiliation: Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada (Centres for Flexible Teaching and Learning).
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health).
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larivière
authors.affiliation: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (Centre for Rural and Northern and Health Research).
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rukholm
authors.affiliation: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (School of Human Kinetics and Northern Ontario School of Medicine).
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schinke
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences North, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Belanger-Gardner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009774:Obstetrics; D009864:Ontario; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cross-training; occupational stress; quality of work life; registered nurses; rural and northern Canada; workplace environment