Investing in human relations for healthy nursing practice environment, nurses’ job satisfaction and quality of nursing care

Relationship between the three domains of nursing practice environment, nurses’ job satisfaction and quality of nursing care have been studied for a way forward to superior healthcare delivery. However, the literature and management practices frequently viewed the relationship as one directional; which may have resulted to restructuring in the nursing practice environment that are insensitive to nurses' need. This paper provides evidence of reciprocal relationship between the three domains in the context of interactions between nurses at NSW health organisations. Mixed methods of survey questionnaire and one-on-one semi-structured interview were used in this research in sequential design, with 136 survey respondents and 21 interviewees. The research result identified interactions between nurses as a vehicle through which the reciprocal relationship between the domains are kept in motion. While healthy interactions between nurses that generate trust and gratitude were seen to positively impact the domains, the opposite was noticed in case of unhealthy interactions. Therefore, management practices in nursing administration should invest for healthy human relations to achieve enhancements across the three domains.