Assess the Causes of Absenteeism Among Nurses Working in Hospitals, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: The largest groups of health care providers in the country are nurses; they delivered the high percentage of health care. Despite the fact that being the largest group of health providers, the nursing workforce has experienced an acute shortage affecting the delivery of health care. Saudi Arabia is challenged with a chronic shortage of qualified Saudi nurses, accompanied by high rates of absenteeism due to uncertain causes. Aim: This study aims to assess the causes of absenteeism among nurses working in General hospital, and to compare it with other nurses working in psychiatric hospital in Eastern region, Saudi Arabia. Method: Descriptive study design was utilized to conduct in Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. A survey containing an adapted (PES) Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index with where distributed to three hospitals: Erada complex for Mental Health at Al-Dammam, the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Hospital in Al-Ahsa, and Qatif Central Hospital and Dammam Medical Tower. 257 nurses participated on this survey. Result: There was a significant difference in absenteeism between Prince Saud Bin Jalwi (mean =2.94, SD = .885) and Qatif Central Hospital (mean = 2.34, SD = 1.073). Among the reasons of absenteeism, majority is having health problem, stress working, and (47 % ) personal and family problem (60 % ) no cooperative from supervisor, working different shift without weekend off. And no supportive and appreciate from head of department. Conclusion: Nurses were found to have lack of commitment to their present job/work and are extremely dissatisfied in the administrative section. Since majority of the respondents answered they have never been absent for a month, thus considering their level of satisfaction and commitment scale, developing a motivation strategy, to make employees feel that their work is valued and creating flexibility by providing a flextime.