Job satisfaction and importance for intensive care unit research coordinators: results from binational survey.
OBJECTIVE
To measure Intensive Care Unit Research coordinator job satisfaction and importance and to identify priorities for role development.


BACKGROUND
Research coordinator numbers are growing internationally in response to increasing clinical research activity. In Australia, 1% of registered nurses work principally in research, many as Research coordinators. Internationally, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals currently has 6536 certified Research coordinators in 13 countries, with likely additional large numbers practicing without the voluntary certification. Research coordinators are almost always nurses, but little is know about this emerging specialty. Design. Cross-sectional study using anonymous self-report questionnaire.


METHODS
After ethics approval, the McCloskey-Mueller Satisfaction Scale and McCloskey-Mueller Importance Scale were administered via the Internet. The sample was 49 (response rate 71%) Research coordinators from the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Unit Research coordinators' Interest Group.


RESULTS
Research coordinators were satisfied with structural aspects of the position working business hours; flexibility of working hours; high levels of responsibility and control over their work. Dissatisfaction was expressed regarding: remuneration and recognition; compensation for weekend work; salary package; career advancement opportunities; and childcare facilities.


CONCLUSIONS
High priorities for role development are those rated highly important but with much lower satisfaction. These are: compensation for weekend call-out work; salary and remuneration package; recognition by management and clinicians; career advancement opportunities; departmental research processes; encouragement and feedback; and number of working hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing numbers of nurses have been attracted to this clinically based research position. These data contribute to the understanding and development of the role.
Rickard
Claire M
CM
Research Centre for Practice Innovation, Griffith University, QLD, Australia. c.rickard@griffith.edu.au
Roberts
Brigit L
BL
Foote
Jonathon
J
McGrail
Matthew R
MR
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002322:Career Mobility; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires