Job satisfaction and associated factors among married female nurses at a district hospital in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study

Background Job satisfaction is a key determinant of nursing performance and retention, yet married female nurses may face unique personal and professional demands that influence their workplace experiences. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the level of job satisfaction and the personal, work-related, and socio-economic factors associated with job satisfaction among married female nurses working at a District General Hospital in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. A sample of 306 nurses was selected through simple random sampling, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic variables and the validated Nurse Job Satisfaction Scale (ESET). Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS version 26, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 251 nurses responded. Overall job satisfaction was high (132.07 ± 20.64), with the highest satisfaction observed in professional recognition (3.9 ± 0.66) and the lowest in recognition and remuneration (3.00 ± 0.85). Significant associations were identified between job satisfaction and age ( p = 0.031), workplace unit ( p = 0.001), and educational level ( p = 0.010). Conclusions These findings underscore the complexity of job satisfaction and highlight the need for further research to explore additional associated factors affecting married female nurses.