Job satisfaction among critical care nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a conceptual path model to explain the effects of a set of personal and work-related independent variables and the dependent variables of situational stress, job stress and job motivation on job satisfaction among critical care nurses.


METHODS
A prospective descriptive study using a conceptual path model.


METHODS
Nine hospitals licensed for at least 250 beds in the northeastern, northwestern, northcentral, and southern regions of Florida.


METHODS
Three hundred female critical care nurses employed in the nine hospitals who had worked full-time for at least 3 months.


METHODS
Subjects were administered a demographic and work survey questionnaire, Daily Hassles Instrument, Psychological Hardiness Test and the Job Diagnostic Inventory.


METHODS
A conceptual path model was constructed to illustrate the effects of a set of personal and work-related independent variables and the dependent variables of situational stress, job stress and job motivation on job satisfaction.


RESULTS
Path analysis of a job satisfaction model resulted in a causal progression of situational stress leading to either job stress or job motivation, both affecting job satisfaction. The results showed that job stress, job motivation, job expectations, meaningful work, knowledge of work results, commitment to career, health difficulties, task identity, supervision, dealing with others at work, opportunity for advancement, pay and job security had a significant effect on job satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Thirteen variables had a significant effect on job satisfaction and explained 63% of the variance. The four most significant effects on job satisfaction were opportunities for advancement, meaningfulness of work, pay and supervision. Commitment to the career, task identity and job security had a modest effect on job satisfaction.
Stechmiller
J K
JK
College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Yarandi
H N
HN
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002322:Career Mobility; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009042:Motivation; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce