Examining the relationships between Canadian public health nurses' job satisfaction and their autonomy, control-over-practice, and workload

Objective: To examine relationships between three modifiable work factors (autonomy, control-over-practice, workload) and Canadian public health nurses' job satisfaction. Design: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey. Setting: All Canadian provinces and territories. Participants: Canadian registered nurses working in public health (n = 271). Methods: Analysis of select data from the 2005 National Survey of the Work and Health of Nurses (NSWHN). Bivariate analyses were used to examine demographic data, multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine relationships between the selected variables, and Chi-square tests to determine regional variations in job satisfaction across Canada. The relevance of findings was discussed with practicing public health nurses (PHNs), policy makers, and researchers at an end-of-study Knowledge Translation (KT) 'Think-Tank'. Results: The interaction between autonomy and workload was a significant predictor of PHNs' job satisfaction, (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99, p < 0. 01) as was the interaction between age and workload (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.01, p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found in PHNs' job satisfaction between regions. Think-Tank participants were interested in learning about results, selected priority areas for application to public health practice and management, and identified future directions for research. Conclusions: With the significant workload findings and generational differences, development of workload measurement tools and public health human resource strategies tailored to a multi-generational workforce are recommended. National enumeration strategies to identify the number of practicing PHNs are also recommended to inform public health practice and policy as are future KT activities to facilitate research dissemination. Canadian Public Health Nurses iij Acknowledgements I am grateful for the financial support of the Health Canada Office of Nursing Policy in funding this project. Without their support, much of this thesis research would not have been possible. My appreciation is also extended to my thesis supervisor, Dr. Barbara Davies and my thesis committee members: Dr. Kirsten Woodend, Jane Simpson, and Shannon Mantha. The guidance from Dr. Jean-Michel Billette and Kathryn Wilkins of Statistics Canada was very valuable. To my family and friends who have endured my virtual absence for the last two years, I cannot express the extent of my gratitude. Despite their grave illnesses, my father, Bennett Buckland, and my dear friend, Tracey MacCormack, have supported and encouraged me throughout my academic pursuits. My husband and children have provided my foundation and strength. My sister, Robin, has been my compass and chief executive cheerleader. Finally, to all the end-of-study Knowledge Translation ThinkTank participants from across Canada who aided in evaluating the relevance of my study findings to their current practice, please accept my humble thanks and sincere appreciation. Canadian Public Health Nurses jy Table of