ReviewJob satisfaction among hospital nurses revisited: A systematic review☆
Introduction
The widespread nursing shortage and nurses’ high turnover is a global issue (Kingma, 2007) which is of increasing importance to both the developed and developing countries (Aiken et al., 2001, Fang, 2001, Lu et al., 2002, Zangaro and Soeken, 2007). In light of this, concern about recruitment and retention of nursing staff is increasing in a number of countries (Kingma, 2007). While numerous factors have been linked to nurses’ turnover, job satisfaction is the most frequently cited (Cavanagh and Coffin, 1992, Blegen, 1993, Irvine and Evans, 1995), and therefore merits attention. This review updates a previous review (Lu et al., 2005) and examines the extensive empirical literature regarding the job satisfaction of qualified general nurses working in hospitals and its associated factors.
Section snippets
The definition of job satisfaction
Job satisfaction is a most frequently studied variable in organizational behaviour research, and also a central variable in both research and theory of organizational phenomena ranging from job design to supervision (Spector, 1997). The traditional model of job satisfaction focuses on all the feelings that an individual has about his/her job. However, what makes a job satisfying or dissatisfying does not depend only on the nature of the job, but also on the expectations that individuals have of
Identification of the literature
The literature relating to job satisfaction and nurses was identified through electronic databases using the same method as in the previous review (Lu et al., 2005). The electronic databases used to obtain the relevant literature were: CINAHL (1982–2011), Medline (1966–2011), PsycINFO (1974–2011) and British Nursing Index (1985–2011), the Applied Social Science Index (2004–2011). Chinese databases such as the China Medical Academic Conference (1985–2011) and China Academic Journal (1985–2011)
Job satisfaction and its sources
Job satisfaction has been found to be related to performance within the work setting (Landeweerd and Boumans, 1988) and therefore researchers have attempted to identify the various components of job satisfaction, measure the relative importance of each component of job satisfaction and examine what effect these components have on workers’ productivity (Burnard et al., 1999). A range of sources of job satisfaction among nurses have been reported from quantitative studies as well as qualitative
Effects of job satisfaction of nurses on absenteeism, burnout, turnover and intention to quit
Absenteeism is an important problem for healthcare providers because it is costly and related to preventable job stress (Matrunola, 1996). The impact of job satisfaction upon nursing absenteeism, burnout and nurses’ intention to quit and turnover has been explored in a number of research studies yielding equivocal findings.
Siu (2002), predictors of job satisfaction and absenteeism in two samples of Hong Kong nurses, Journal of Advanced Nursing 40 (2002) (2), pp. 218–229. Full Text via CrossRef
Related factors to job satisfaction of nurses
Job satisfaction is a complex phenomenon, as evidenced by the findings already discussed. The identification of these factors and exploration of their effects on job satisfaction has the potential to refine the theoretical models of nurses’ job satisfaction and aid the development of management interventions. Blegen's (1993) meta-analysis of 48 studies found that job satisfaction was most strongly associated with stress (r = −0.61) and organizational commitment (r = 0.53). Seven variables had
Conclusion
Most member states of the WHO have reported nurse resource difficulties (Kingma, 2007). Developed countries are faced with the double challenge of having an ageing nurse workforce and increasing demand for nursing care from an ageing population (Buchan, 2001). International migration of nurses has increased as nurses pursue opportunities for improved pay and opportunities in the wake of the global liberalization of trade spurred on by developed countries increasing their international
Conflict of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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This is a revised and updated version of Lu, H., While, A.E., Barriball, K.L., 2005. Job satisfaction among nurses: a literature review. International Journal of Nursing Studies 42 (2), 211–227.