The aim of the thesis was to describe how nurses experience work wellbeing, what factors affect their work wellbeing and how their work wellbeing could be improved. This study was conducted as a survey in cooperation with the Joint Municipal Authority of Wellbeing in Raahe District. The survey was targeted at the nurses in one of its business units.

Survey questions are formed using the theoretical framework and by utilizing the results of the wellbeing survey previously conducted in the organization. Survey material was collected using a questionnaire, which included structured quantitative research method questions in order to obtain descriptive information. In addition, the survey included open, qualitative research method questions in order to obtain empirical material. The material was collected as an online survey using the Webropol tool. Our thesis was both a qualitative and a quantitative research, which was analyzed by the content-based content analysis as well as presented as structured numbers, which were then interpreted and explained in words. Finally, the results of the qualitative and quantitative research questions were combined using the methodological triangulation.

According to the results of the study, several factors in work and in work community affect the wellbeing of the nurses. One of the factors that seemed to improve the work wellbeing was the sufficient amount of staff in relation to the patients. Furthermore, even distribution of work, good organization of work, as well as good, ethical management, decreased the workload of the nurses. According to the results, there was a willingness to utilize the cooperation between the wards and skills of the nurses as a resource to strengthen the professionalism of the nurses. In addition, different education possibilities were seen as a way to improve the professionalism. Similarly, shift planning, working hours and the opportunity to influence one’s own work, had effects on the work wellbeing. Healthy lifestyle, hobbies and exercising supported nurses’ wellbeing. Wellbeing, family and relationships influenced the perceived wellbeing. In addition, each employee affects the work community with his or her personality. Participants of the survey estimated their own work wellbeing and wellbeing being either fair or good. None of the participants estimated them to be poor.

The results of the study widen the perceptions of the work wellbeing of the nurses and the factors affecting the wellbeing. The results can be utilized in planning the improvements of the work wellbeing of nurses.