Introduction: Occupational health nurses (OHNs) play a pivotal role in promoting workplace wellness programs, which are essential for enhancing employee health, productivity, and organizational sustainability. However, the effectiveness of these programs often depends on systemic factors such as resource allocation, organizational culture, and opportunities for professional development. This study aimed to examine the challenges faced by OHNs in implementing wellness programs across diverse work environments, with a particular focus on three domains: limited sources and funding, workplace culture, and lack of training and professional development.
Methods: A descriptive-quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed to OHNs working in various occupational settings. The instrument contained 30 descriptive statements across the three domains, rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, were used to analyze the data and interpret responses.
Result: Findings revealed that across all three domains, OHNs consistently reported neutral perceptions, with category means of 3.02 for limited funding, 3.01 for workplace culture, and 3.03 for training and professional development. These results suggest that while wellness programs are present in many workplaces, they remain underfunded, underdeveloped, and insufficiently integrated into organizational culture. The neutrality of responses indicates systemic uncertainty and highlights the need for stronger institutional support.
Conclusion: The study concludes that improving the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs requires increased financial investment, the fostering of a supportive workplace culture, and greater access to continuous professional development opportunities. Addressing these factors is critical for enabling OHNs to implement evidence-based, sustainable wellness strategies that promote long-term employee well-being.
Keywords: Occupational Health Nursing, Workplace Wellness Programs, Funding, Workplace Culture, Professional Development, Employee Health, Organizational Support.
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