Greek registered nurses’ job satisfaction in relation to work-related stress: a study on army and civilian rns

Abstract

Background: Job satisfaction and work-related stress effect, job turnover, and patient satisfaction in nursing. Aim: To present the views of Greek Army Registered Nurses and Civilian Registered Nurses on job satisfaction and job stress and why they are lead to seeking employment elsewhere. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken by questionnaire on a random sample of 117 Registered Nurses (77 Army RNs – 40 Civilian RNs), (Response rate 42%). The Warr-Cook-Wall job satisfaction scale was used to measure overall job satisfaction. Job related tension index was used to measure nurses’ levels of stress. The association between relationship factors and organizational outcomes such as job satisfaction, turnover intentions and organizational commitment were assessed. The analysis was made with the use of SPSS (version 15). Results: Mean score of stress was for Army Registered Nurses (RNs) m=31.61 (SD 9.041 min=21 max=75) while for Civilian Registered Nurses was m=29.38 (SD 7.117 min=12 max=46) The most frequently mentioned source of job stress for civilian RNs is not having a say on the appearance and structure of their work environment (p=0.017). Not being appreciated and not treated as equal to other health professionals. (p<0.0001). Civilian RNs’ occupational stress leads to their leaving the workplace (p=0.004). Results of the regression analysis when performing Pearson correlation coefficients (correlation significance at the level 0.05 two-tailed)showed that the increase in job satisfaction of Army RNs was predicted by older nurses p= 0.001, r= 0.363, by more experienced ones with more years at work p= 0.004, r= 0.326. Conclusions: A nursing career is fulfilling when the nurse is given the opportunity to provide input on decisions in the workplace, is treated as an equal to other health professionals and is given recognition for accomplishments. The current shortage of nurses highlights the importance of understanding the impact of low moral and stress in the workplace and the need to implement innovative programs that respect the nursing profession.