Predicting registered nurse job satisfaction and intent to leave

Abstract

Background: Nurse job dissatisfaction has been the primary predictor of intent to leave; however, although many predictors of job satisfaction have been identified, little is known about the influence of variable nurse attitudes, such as psychological empowerment and hardiness, on job satisfaction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative influence of nurse attitudes, context of care, and structure of care on job satisfaction and intent to leave.

Methods: A nonexperimental, predictive design evaluated these relationships in a nonrandom sample of 90 registered staff nurses using instruments with known psychometric properties.

Results: The major predictor of intent to leave was job dissatisfaction, and the major predictor of job satisfaction was psychological empowerment. Predictors of psychological empowerment were hardiness, transformational leadership style, nurse/physician collaboration, and group cohesion.

Conclusions: Results supported the influence of nurse attitude on job satisfaction relative to other contributing factors.