Instrument Validation: Hospital Nurse Perceptions of Meaning and Joy in Work

Abstract

Background and Purpose: When workers experience meaning and joy in work (MJW), job satisfaction and retention are enhanced. No measure for MJW among nurses exists. The purpose of this work was to develop/test the MJW Questionnaire (MJWQ). Methods: The initial MJWQ was piloted with a convenience sample of post-licensure nursing students. Factor analyses established MJWQ subscales for the MJWQ: “value /connections,” “meaningful work,” “caring.” Subsequently, 463 employed nurses validated MJWQ psychometrics. Results: The MJWQ demonstrated acceptable construct validity and internal consistency (α = .94). Scores were significantly associated with job satisfaction (r = .686). Conclusions: Initial testing supports adequate measurement of MJW for hospital nurses in varying roles. Testing in other settings, evaluation of sensitivity in determining intervention effectiveness, and inclusion in multivariate analyses of workforce engagement are suggested.