Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Attracting and retaining well qualified nurses to develop healthcare systems and ensure patient safety is a global concern. In this regard, the quality of the practice environment plays a crucial role. AIM: To explore Iranian nurses perception on the key constituents of the nursing practice environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Twelve participants were purposively selected from five teaching hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. Data was collected through semi structured interviews, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the extraction of two categories of 'adequate staff', with two subcategories of balanced workload and well qualified nurses, and 'adequacy of physical resources', with subcategories of equipment adequacy and appropriate physical structure as key elements of the nursing practice environment. CONCLUSION: Imbalanced workloads, inappropriate nurse-patient ratios, and inadequate physical resources negatively affected nurse's perceptions of the quality of the nursing practice environment. The findings provide baseline data for health policymakers in different national and global areas to remodel the practice environment. The improvement of the practice environment, with adequate staffing levels and appropriate allocation of physical resources, is achievable to resolve this challenge and thus improve outcomes.