Factors Associated with Work Engagement Among Specialty Nurses in China: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract Background: In recent years, specialty nurses' work engagement has received much attention because of its positive impact on nurses and hospitals. Therefore, knowing more about it and its influencing factors can help nurse managers improve nurses' physical and mental health and the quality of care in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to explore the current status and analyze the potential profiles and population characteristics of specialized nurses in China. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with data collected from April 13 to July 23, 2023. Convenience sampling method was used to select 724 nurses from 22 hospitals in Xiamen, China as study subjects, and self-administered general information questionnaires and work engagement scales were used to conduct surveys, to study the potential characteristics of work engagement of specialized nurses using latent profile analysis, and to determine the factors influencing their potential characteristics using univariate and binary logistic regression analyses. Results: The total score of specialty nurses' work engagement was divided into 2 potential profiles: low engagement and high engagement. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that whether or not to participate in nurse-led clinics, career satisfaction, and title were the main influencing factors for the potential profile categories of specialty nurses' work engagement in Xiamen. Conclusion: Xiamen, China has a high level of investment in the work of specialized nurses. In the future, we can strengthen the construction of nurse-led clinics, and at the same time establish an effective career development support mechanism, so as to improve investment in the work of specialized nurses and promote the development of specialized nurses.