Exploring Job Satisfaction Among Nurses: Influencing Factors, Mediators, and Behavioural Insights

Abstract

Job satisfaction among nurses is a critical issue with significant implications for patient care quality and safety. This review synthesizes recent empirical literature to examine the factors influencing job satisfaction of qualified general nurses working in hospitals. The findings reveal that job satisfaction is associated with various outcomes, including sickness absence, turnover intention, job performance, and organizational commitment. Factors such as working shifts, leadership styles, effort-reward imbalance, and demographic characteristics also impact nurses' job satisfaction. Additionally, the work environment, including nurse-patient ratios, structural empowerment, and management support, plays a crucial role in shaping job satisfaction. Nurses' behaviors and individual factors, such as evidence-based practice implementation, work engagement, and organizational citizenship, are also related to their satisfaction. Furthermore, several mediators have been identified in the complex relationships between various factors and job satisfaction, including self-esteem, affective commitment, structural empowerment, coping strategies, perceived organizational support, psychological capital, and professional commitment. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of job satisfaction among nurses and the need for targeted interventions to enhance satisfaction and improve patient care outcomes. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating strategies to address the identified factors and mediators to promote job satisfaction and retention in the nursing workforce.