Job satisfaction of Italian nurses: an exploratory study

AIM: The purpose of this research was to determine the factors that lead to feelings of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction experienced by nurses operating in three Italian hospitals. BACKGROUND: A high level of job satisfaction is related to a feeling of well-being, productivity and patient satisfaction. Furthermore, job satisfaction is considered capable of reducing turnover and absenteeism. METHOD: Data were collected using the narrative interview technique. Sixty-four interviews were undertaken, resulting in the collection of 381 stories: 207 referring to job satisfaction experiences and 174 referring to job dissatisfaction experiences. RESULTS: The five job satisfaction factors are: job content; professional relationships; responsibility, independence and professional growth; relationships with patients and their families; and relationships with coordinators. The four job dissatisfaction factors are: coordinator management style; activity programming and organization; relationships with doctors; and relationships with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the present nursing management techniques should be improved to become more effective in increasing job satisfaction. To be more precise there emerge three separate areas of improvement: investment in professional training and managerial training; renovation of organizational models; and permanent monitoring of job satisfaction.