PROFESSIONALISM AND JOB SATISFACTION OF REGISTERED NURSES IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
Contributors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 150
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate current views of professionalism and job satisfaction of registered nurses practicing a variety of health care settings in the State of Virginia. Five research questions were investigated in this analytical-descriptive study. A two percent stratified random sample of 427 registered nurses, female and actively employed, represented all nurses from five regions in the state of Virginia. The demographic findings indicated that the majority of nurses were diploma graduates, staff nurses, employed in hospital settings, and working full-time.

A descriptive analysis of Stone and Knopke's Health Care Professional Attitude Inventory items modified by Lawler indicated that registered nurses have professional status according to Dumont's model of professionalism. Nurses identified consumer control, indifference to credentials, compassion, and impatience with the rate of change as important elements of professionalism. However, there was no significant relationship between nurses' professionalism and highest levels of education in nursing, current job positions, and major job settings.

Job satisfaction findings using Atwood and Hinshaw's Work Satisfaction Scale indicated that nurses were generally satisfied in their work setting although they were concerned about pay compensation, opportunities to advance, and control of nursing practice. A significant relationship was found between nurses' work setting and job satisfaction. Hospital nurses exhibited greater job satisfaction than nurses in other health care settings. A small relationship was revealed using job satisfaction as a predictor of professionalism.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-08, Section: B, page: 3778.

Thesis (PH.D.)--VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, 1990.

School code: 2383.