Exploration of Work Environmental Factors That Affect Nurse Job Satisfaction in a Hospital Setting

摘要

Nurses are experiencing increased stress and dissatisfaction in the health care arena. The work environment impacts nurses’ perception and loyalty to organizations based on satisfaction versus dissatisfaction, including quality patient care. The purpose of this study was to explore work environmental factors that affect nurse job satisfaction in a hospital setting. Marilyn Ray’s Theory of Bureaucratic Caring was the theoretical framework for this study. The research utilized the McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale (MMSS) to examine factors in an acute care hospital associated with nurse job satisfaction. The study invited 130 nurses from a hospital in rural South Carolina to participate electronically via a link provided through their work email accounts. The sample included a total of 23 participants that completed the survey, including registered and licensed practical nurses (RNs u26 LPNs). The study revealed no significant work environmental factors that affect nurse job satisfaction. Results of the study indicated that nurses were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their current jobs (M=3.35). Participants rated the factors that affect job satisfaction in the following order from very satisfied to least: scheduling, co-workers, interaction opportunities, extrinsic rewards, praise and recognition, balance and family, professional opportunities, and control and responsibility.