Perspectives of nurses regarding total rewards and their preferences in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Background: In this time of global nursing shortages, investment in nursing is vital, and hospitals need to apply a range of strategies to attract and retain nurses. Rewards are an effective strategy for the retention of nurses and help improve the performance and productivity of hospitals. In rural and remote communities, however, nurses may not have access to the rewards that urban-based nurses have. Aim: To explore the preferred rewards of registered nurses in rural and remote community hospitals in Thailand. Methods: An explanatory mixed-methods design was employed for the overall study, and the results from the qualitative descriptive phase are reported here using the COREQ checklist. We collected data during in-depth interviews with 24 informants from 8 community hospitals. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings: Four major themes regarding reward types were preferred by the nurses: reasonable pay, good benefits, accessible learning and development, and a favorable work environment. Conclusion: A package of total rewards that best suit nurses working in rural and remote areas needs to be implemented, for a combination of different types of rewards has a greater impact than a single reward at both individual and organizational levels. Implication for nursing and health policy: It is crucial to identify those rewards to attract and retain nurses. In Thailand, nursing and health workforce policies need to be based on nurse preferences regarding salary, benefits, and recognition commensurate with other healthcare professionals, including civil servant status, as well as improving the work environment.