Teamwork and Job Satisfaction among Nurses in Pediatric Intensive Care unit

Teamwork in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is critically important due to the high-stakes environment, the need for rapid decision-making, simultaneous delivery of multiple care interventions, and real-time communication among healthcare team. Job satisfaction is a multifaceted construct influenced by various factors, and emerging evidence highlights a link between teamwork and job satisfaction. This study aimed to examine teamwork, job satisfaction, and their relationship among nurses working in PICU. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. The sample included 200 nurses from PICUs, selected via convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria comprised voluntary participation and a minimum of 6 months of PICU experience. Data were collected using a demographic - occupational characteristics questionnaire, the Nursing Teamwork Scale (NTS), and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ-short form). Analyses were conducted in SPSS-26 using independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results revealed a mean teamwork score of 107.13 (SD = 19.20) and a job satisfaction score of 61.10 (SD = 74.01). The highest teamwork score was observed for the "shared mental model", while the lowest was for "team orientation." A significant positive correlation was found between overall teamwork (and all its subscales) and job satisfaction (r = 0.402–0.485, p < 0.001). Teamwork correlated negatively with age (r = − 0.146, p = 0.039), education (r = − 0.256, p < 0.00 = 0.001), and PICU work interest (F = 3.541, p = 0.008). Job satisfaction showed negative correlations with age (r = − 0.227, p = 0.001), education (r = − 0.189, p = 0.007), total work experience (r = − 0.21, p = 0.003), and PICU experience (r = − 0.158, p = 0.025), and varied significantly by employment status. Linear regression identified shift type, education, and nursing profession interest as significant predictors of teamwork. After controlling for all independent variables, only teamwork emerged as a significant predictor of job satisfaction. This study underscores the pivotal role of teamwork in enhancing job satisfaction among PICU nurses. Interventions such as teamwork training, improved human resource management, and supportive work environments may boost productivity, job satisfaction, and quality of care in PICUs. Healthcare policymakers should prioritize teamwork development as a strategic tool to improve clinical and occupational outcomes.