Publication

Aims To describe the current situation of the work–life balance gap among acute care ward nurses and assess its association with quality of life (QOL). Background Nurses who spend more time at work than on their personal lives are reported to have lower QOL. To capture the actual–ideal work–life balance gap among nurses with different backgrounds, time spent on work, family, and private life must be examined. Methods This cross‐sectional study included 228 nurses from 3 Japanese acute care hospitals. Results Work gap scores and family gap scores for nurses living alone were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than those for nurses living with family. Moreover, the QOL score decreased with increase in the work–life balance gap for nurses. Conclusions Nurses living alone had greater work burden than nurses living with family. Conversely, living with family may protect nurses’ family lives. The work–life balance gap was associated with QOL. Implications for Nursing Management Addressing the gap between the actual–ideal proportions in work–life balance is important for improving nurses’ QOL and work–life balance. Flexible working options and policy changes may also improve their work–life balance and QOL.