Work climate, work values and professional commitment as predictors of job satisfaction in nurses

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of some psychosocial variables on nurses' job satisfaction.

Background: Nurses' job satisfaction is one of the most important factors in determining individuals' intention to stay or leave a health-care organisation. Literature shows a predictive role of work climate, professional commitment and work values on job satisfaction, but their conjoint effect has rarely been considered.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was adopted. Participants were hospital nurses and data were collected in 2011.

Results: Professional commitment and work climate positively predicted nurses' job satisfaction. The effect of intrinsic vs. extrinsic work value orientation on job satisfaction was completely mediated by professional commitment.

Conclusions: Nurses' job satisfaction is influenced by both contextual and personal variables, in particular work climate and professional commitment. According to a more recent theoretical framework, work climate, work values and professional commitment interact with each other in determining nurses' job satisfaction.

Implications for nursing management: Nursing management must be careful to keep the context of work tuned to individuals' attitude and vice versa. Improving the work climate can have a positive effect on job satisfaction, but its effect may be enhanced by favouring strong professional commitment and by promoting intrinsic more than extrinsic work values.

Keywords: job satisfaction; nurses; professional commitment; work climate; work values.