title: The work engagement of nurses in multiple hospital sectors in Saudi Arabia: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the differences in work engagement among nurses in Saudi Arabia and its relationship with personal characteristics across different hospital affiliations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Quality care requires an adequate supply of engaged nurses who are dedicated, energised and absorbed in their work. In the nursing profession, work engagement is of considerable importance, owing to the shortage of nurses and the continuing reduction in healthcare costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analytic comparative cross-sectional design was used. Eight hospitals from three provinces and different affiliation types participated in the study. The Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES) was used to measure 980 nurses' work engagement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicate that nurses' total engagement scores were closer to the higher end of the Likert scale. The findings indicate generally high levels of work engagement, particularly regarding the element of dedication. Furthermore, the study shows significant differences in nurses' engagement among the various work settings and in nurses' age and experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A number of nurses' personal characteristics have independent influences on their work engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurse leaders should acknowledge that a statement of professional nursing scope of practice is a necessity to encourage and fulfil engagement.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Nursing Administration and Education Department, King Saudi University, Riyadha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmad E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Aboshaiqah
authors.affiliation: Brooks College of Health, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Hanadi Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hamadi
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Nursing Administration and Education Department, King Saudi University, Riyadha, Saudi Arabia.|Nursing Administration Department, Menofiya University Faculty of Nursing, Egypt.
authors.forename: Olfat A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Nursing Administration and Education Department, King Saudi University, Riyadha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nazik M A
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Zakari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: hospital affiliation; nursing; quality of care; work engagement