Work Satisfaction and Family Responsibility Correlates of Employment among Nurses

Employment status of nurses is examined in the context of a role conflict-job satisfaction model. It is proposed that nurses experience a pull toward nursing due to the satisfaction they derive from providing important care to patients, but also a push away from the profession if there are competing demands for their time from children or spouse. The latter is exacerbated by the hours and schedules required of nurses, whereas the former is compromised by a lack of autonomy with respect to determining the way in which nursing care will be delivered in the hospital setting.