Background: This study aimed to evaluate the work engagement status of registered pediatric nurses and its relationship with personal- and work-related variables in selected hospitals. Personal- and work-related factors generally influence work engagement. However, data on work engagement in pediatric clinical practice are limited. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, including 230 registered nurses working in pediatric units in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. A non-probability approach (convenience sampling) was adopted in recruiting the sample. Eight personal- and work-related variables were examined using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale shortened 9-item version. Results: The overall mean scale score was 4.54 (standard deviation = 0.95). The dedication subscale showed the highest mean score (4.84), followed by the absorption (4.48) and vigor subscales (4.29). A higher work engagement score was associated with an older age (H = 17.892; p < 0.001), a non-Saudi nationality (Z = 5.724; p < 0.001), a higher educational level (Z = 3.178; p = 0.001), and a long duration of experience (>10 years) (H = 18.435; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the total scale score according to marital status (p = 0.077), current working unit (p = 0.063), and current working hours (p = 0.067). Conclusions: Among registered pediatric nurses, work engagement is relatively high but is average in terms of the vigor component. To our knowledge, this research is the first to explore how work environment affects work engagement among pediatric nurses in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi women have been deprived of equal access to and opportunities for an active lifestyle due to sociocultural restrictions. Using the theory of planned behaviour, this elicitation study aimed to explore the salient beliefs of young Saudi women aged 18-35 regarding physical activity (PA). A descriptive qualitative methodology was utilized using a semi-structured interview. A total of 25 transcribed interviews were coded. Content analysis was used to identify the salient beliefs and to rank-order the beliefs using an adaptation of Burnard's model. Thirty-five salient beliefs were identified as dominant factors in the decision to engage in PA. The salient beliefs about PA are classified as positive (related to advantages, social approval, and enabling) and negative (related to disadvantages, social disapproval, and barriers). These included behavioural beliefs (concerning physical/psychological well-being and social opportunities), normative beliefs (concerning family, community, international and local media influencers' expectations), and control beliefs (concerning personal, social, natural, and built environment enablers as well as constraints). Due to the elicited beliefs, young women may be able to adopt more active lifestyles and change their inactive behaviour. Addressing negative beliefs can help change their inactive behaviour. Strengthening positive beliefs and facilitators is also beneficial.

Introduction: Saudi Arabia’s culturally diverse population is growing rapidly. The need for cultural competence is greatest in pediatric units where nurses provide care to children in collaboration with their parents. Method: Nonprobability sampling of 394 nurses and cross-sectional descriptive design was used to investigate nurses’ cultural competence, and to examine the relationships between the variables and participants’ demographic data in pediatric units across five hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by asking nurses to complete a self-report questionnaire. Results: The results suggest a high degree of cultural competency. Participants’ scores indicated high levels of perceived cultural awareness, sensitivity, and cultural competence behavior for performance. Discussion: This study supports the 3-D Puzzle Model of culturally congruent care for cultural competence, which assumes that cultural competence is deeply influenced by one’s experiences. The findings revealed a high level of cultural competence despite a lack of information with respect to patient views.

Background: This study investigated the psychological empowerment (PE) of nurses in pediatric units and examined the significant difference between the level of PE and the personal work profiles of nurses working in pediatric units in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study design was employed between May and July 2020 using a self-administered electronic survey that collected personal work profile data and applied the Psychological Empowerment Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software for descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results: Most of the study participants (69.6%) were non-Saudi nurses, and 71.9% worked in specialized areas. The mean PE score of the four dimensions across the 12 items was high. The mean score for the dimension meaning was the highest, whereas the lowest mean score was for the dimension self-determination. Nurses from different nationalities had significantly different PE levels. Conclusions: Expatriate nurses were more psychologically empowered. The findings will be of interest to all who wish to attract and retain local nurses by fostering PE in the work environment and involving nurses in decision-making processes, thus enabling them to act as leaders for increased work motivation.