The nursing shortage and nursing strikes have led to an increased need for job satisfaction among nurses. As co-investigator in a study of 8,000 hospital nurses in Ontario, Judith Shamian, RN, PhD, executive director of nursing policy for the Canadian federal government, has discovered trends that may affect the future of health care. As part of a multinational examination led by Linda Aiken, RN, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, the Canadian data may assist health care executives and nursing administrators in creating a more satisfied workforce in the midst of challenging industry changes.
Nurses trust their peers more than they trust their management.
The personal health condition of the nurse is poor in comparison to other employee groups. A significant positive relationship between nurses' perceptions of job-related empowerment and their reported commitment to their organizations. A significant correlation between staff nurses' perceptions of empowerment and their perceptions of a manager's power. Lack of nurturing and support has caused many new nurses to feel abandoned. Dr. Shamian believes the findings of this study will influence the future of nursing.