Work-related well-being among hepatobiliary surgical nurses: a structural equation modeling study

Background Hepatobiliary surgical nurses face high workloads, complex care demands, and continuous psychological strain, which may impair their work-related well-being. Psychological resilience, occupational stress, and perceived professional benefits are key psychological resources and risks, yet their combined effects in this population are not well understood. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 280 hepatobiliary surgical nurses from eight hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China, were recruited by convenience sampling. Psychological resilience, occupational stress, perceived professional benefits, and work-related well-being were assessed using validated Chinese versions of the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Chinese Nurses Stressor Scale, Nurses' Perceived Professional Benefits Scale, and Nurse Work Happiness Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. Results Nurses showed lower psychological resilience than the national norm and moderate perceived professional benefits. Occupational stress mainly stemmed from patient care, whereas work-related well-being was most strongly related to perceived work value. Regression analyses identified psychological resilience, occupational stress, perceived professional benefits, number of children, employment type, and monthly income as significant predictors of work-related well-being (all p < 0.05). The structural equation model demonstrated good fit and indicated that resilience and professional benefits had direct positive effects on well-being, occupational stress had a direct negative effect, and resilience and professional benefits partially mediated the impact of stress on work-related well-being. Conclusion Work-related well-being among hepatobiliary surgical nurses is shaped by both occupational stress and internal psychological resources. Interventions that reduce stress and strengthen nurses' resilience and perceived professional benefits may be effective strategies to improve well-being in hepatobiliary surgery settings.