The effects of nurses' job satisfaction on retention: an Australian perspective.
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of any strategy that aims to improve recruitment and retention in the nursing profession will depend in part upon understanding the factors and influences on nurses' job satisfaction.


BACKGROUND
The nursing work force is aging. The question now commonly asked by the nursing profession worldwide is: Who will replace this work force? Although the number of employed nurses continues to decline, patient acuity and turnover in our healthcare system continues to increase. This increasing dilemma is further deepened by progressively falling annual recruitment of new nurses and has resulted in an alarming shortfall of nurses.


METHODS
This study used a multigroup longitudinal design to elicit nurses' attitudes toward their job satisfaction and retention plans.


RESULTS
The results revealed that professional status was found to be significant of retention. The results indicated that job satisfaction remained relatively stable with time for experienced nurses (N = 528/332). For new graduates (N = 506/110) the issue of pay became a significant area of dissatisfaction in the transition from student to registered nurse.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study contribute to the expanding body of knowledge that indicates professional status, autonomy, and remuneration are career issues of great concern for nurses and is particularly relevant for the retention of the newly registered nurse.
Cowin
Leanne
L
Nursing Research Mental Health, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia. meow@ar.com.au
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009517:New South Wales; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors