Job and community satisfaction among perioperative registered nurses within the Northwest region of British Columbia : An exploratory study
Creators: name: Zaporzan, Montana
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2023

description: Background: Information regarding job and community satisfaction of perioperative nurses working within rural hospitals in British Columbia is an important step in improving retention and recruitment to rural areas of the province. Historically this has been an area that lacks exploratory research although it is a crucial factor affecting the delivery of surgical services to rural and remote populations. Hospitals function using hierarchical structures and frontline staff are not regularly included in decision making or critical reflection, which can cause feelings of disempowerment and inability to challenge the dominant power structures and norms within our healthcare systems. We aimed to explore current job and community satisfaction of the participants as well as identify personal perspectives on how to improve retention and recruitment to these northern towns in order to construct resiliency within the current fragile systems of healthcare, specifically rural surgery post pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey and questionnaire were delivered to registered nurses working in operating rooms in the Northwest region of the province. The survey was intended to identify current job and community satisfaction and identify what factors affected these scores. Further, perioperative nurses were asked to share their intent to stay and work in the area and what factors affected this decision. An optional open-ended questionnaire was emailed to participants who chose to share their perspectives specific to improving retention and recruitment at their hospital. Analysis of quantitative data was completed using descriptive statistics derived from chosen question responses. Qualitative findings were summarized thematically. The survey and questionnaire were accessible for participation from July-September 2022. Results: We received survey responses from 16 registered perioperative nurses from Terrace (n=6), Prince Rupert (n=5) and Smithers (n=5), no survey responses were received from Kitimat (n=0). Questionnaires investigating recruitment and retention strategies received four responses. Average job satisfaction at present was recorded as seven on a ten point-Likert scale. Nurses found their schedule, co-worker relationships, and vacation availability as important facilitators of job satisfaction. The average community satisfaction score was also recorded as seven on a ten point Likert scale. Facilitators of community satisfaction included: family and friends, outdoor recreations, location of community and job security. It was identified that 43.75% of nurses planned on staying up to 5 years in identified communities but only 25% of nurses stated they intended on staying up to 10 years. Conclusion: The perioperative nurses of Northwest BC reported being moderately satisfied in their job as well as their community. These two areas of study are intrinsically intertwined with many factors including family, friends, community locations, coworker relationships, work schedule, vacation allowance and schedule flexibility. With rural healthcare services being a topic of interest with a growing provincial population, it is key that health authorities work towards understanding and supporting the staff that is choosing to live and work in these areas of the province. It is identified that the majority of the nurses working in northern operating rooms are women, and the importance of child care, adequate wage and flexibility for time off with families are points identified as important to consider in relation to retention.