title: Perceptions of working as a nurse in an acute care setting.
abstract: This paper focuses on the changing nature of nurses' perceptions of their work. It examines the major sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction experienced by nurses working at a major teaching hospital in May 2000. Coding categories reflected four components of nurses' work experiences: organizational, interpersonal, structural and professional. Organizational aspects of work were over-represented as sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction and related to perceived changes in management philosophy (increasing productivity with limited resources). Study findings provide some clear goals for responsive, sensitive management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Education and Research, Flinders University Medical Centre, Bedford Park, 5042 South Australia, Australia. sandra.dunn@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esterman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012938:Social Perception; D013021:South Australia