VARIABLES INFLUENCING JOB SATISFACTION OF REGISTERED NURSES IN RURAL HOSPITALS (NURSES).
Contributors: University of Idaho.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 141
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: Retention of registered nurses is affected by their job satisfaction in practice settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate what factors affect job satisfaction of registered nurses in rural hospitals.

An ex post facto field study was done with 180 registered nurses in 14 rural hospitals who volunteered to participate in this study. The Job Descriptive Index (Smith, Kendall & Hulin, 1975) and a Background Information Questionnaire designed by the investigator were used to measure job satisfaction of the respondents.

Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square contingency table and an analysis of variance. The dependent variables were the six scales of the Job Descriptive Index: work, pay, promotion, supervision, people and job. The independent variables were hospital size, placebound/nonplacebound status, basic nursing education and perceived continuing education (CE) availability.

Differences occurred among nurses grouped by basic nursing education on the pay scale of the Job Descriptive Index. Satisfaction with pay was lower among nurses who were graduates of an associate nursing degree program. Diploma graduates were most satisfied with their pay and baccalaureate graduates scored in between.

Significant one-way interactions were also found on some of the scales of the Job Descriptive Index. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences on the job in general scale from the interaction of hospital size by perceived CE availability. Significant differences were also found on the people on present job scale in the interaction between placebound/nonplacebound status and perceived CE availability. A third interaction occurred between basic nursing education and perceived CE availability. This interaction was reflected on two scales, present pay scale and job in general scale.

While the study suggests ongoing research is needed on all dimensions of job satisfaction of nurses, it calls for particular attention of nursing educators to explore the reasons that may lead to less job satisfaction in graduates of associate degree nursing programs compared to diploma and baccalaureate programs. Secondly, nursing administrators need to be aware of the effects that the amount and quality of continuing education have on various aspects of job satisfaction.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-11, Section: B, page: 4979.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, 1989.

School code: 0089.