From Bedside to BPO: Quality of Life and Coping Orientation of Nurses

Introduction: The persistent global shortage of nurses and the escalating rates of professional turnover have intensified the need to explore alternative career pathways within the nursing profession. These challenges provide the rationale for examining the well-being of nurses who transition from direct patient care to administrative roles, particularly within healthcare-related Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facilities. Aim: The study’s central purpose was to evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) and coping orientation of registered nurses who had transitioned from bedside to healthcare BPO jobs within the Philippine setting. Methods: This study used a descriptive-correlational design to examine the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and coping strategies among 138 registered nurses in Metro Manila who transitioned to healthcare BPO roles, aged 25–45, with at least three years bedside experience. Data were collected via convenience sampling through an online survey using adapted WHOQOL-BREF and Brief-COPE instruments. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rho were used for analysis. Results: Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between quality of life and coping orientation (r = .681, p < .001), suggesting that nurses who transitioned to healthcare BPO roles generally experienced favorable well-being and effective coping. Environmental Health yielded the highest quality-of-life scores (M = 87.18, SD = 10.97), while problem-focused coping was the most commonly employed strategy (M = 3.35, SD = 0.61). In contrast, Physical Health recorded the lowest mean score (M = 72.51, SD = 14.63), indicating persistent concerns regarding physical well-being. Conclusion: The transition to BPO was associated with effective coping and a good quality of life, establishing a viable alternative for nurses, although physical well-being remains a concern. These findings hold significant implications for policymakers, underscoring the need for targeted wellness interventions within nursing practice and education to address declines in physical health, promote professional development, strengthen retention strategies, and improve job satisfaction.