The Determinants of Work-Life Balance in Nursing: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Work-life balance is a persistent challenge in nursing because caregiving is delivered within chronically demanding, time-sensitive, and emotionally intensive environments. This systematic review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize empirical evidence on the determinants of work-life balance among nurses. The review was conducted and reported in line with PRISMA 2020 guidance. A structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library was undertaken for English-language studies published between January 2015 and December 2024. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies that examined work-life balance, work-family balance, work-family conflict, or closely related constructs among nurses were eligible. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively because of substantial heterogeneity in design, setting, and outcome measurement. Across the included studies, the most consistent determinants of poorer work-life balance were high workload, understaffing, rotating and night shifts, long working hours, schedule unpredictability, weak managerial support, unsupportive organizational climate, caregiving burden, stress, emotional exhaustion, sleep disruption, fatigue, and physical pain. Protective factors included family support, resilience, positive coping, schedule flexibility, and family-supportive leadership. Overall, the evidence indicates that nurses’ work-life balance is shaped less by personal preference alone than by the interaction between individual resources and organizational conditions. Improving work-life balance in nursing therefore requires multilevel action, particularly staffing reform, healthier scheduling systems, family-supportive leadership, and policy environments that protect recovery time and sustainable practice.