Strategies for Work-Life Balance among Nursing Staff in Military Environments: A Pathway to Enhanced Mental Health

Abstract

Work-life balance (WLB) is important for nursing personnel, especially in the military, where the work environment leads to burnout and intense stress. The present research systematically reviews the determinants of WLB among military nurses and their mental outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on various databases, following the PRISMA guidelines, and thirty-five studies were found relevant. A questionnaire of 85 nursing staff at the North Armed Forces Hospital evaluated their WLB, and 62% considered it "Fair," with considerable stress arising from conflict between family and work responsibilities. Awareness of support mechanisms, like flexible working, was high but low uptake. The results suggest the necessity for individualized interventions, such as flexible work practices, better communication, and additional peer support programs to augment mental well-being and job satisfaction among military nurses. The research emphasizes the need to prioritize WLB programs in military healthcare organizations to achieve a better working environment and patient care outcomes.