Job satisfaction and perceived autonomy for nurse practitioners working in nurse-managed health centers.
OBJECTIVE
More primary care providers are needed to deliver health care to Americans living in poverty and those soon to be insured under the Affordable Care Act. Nurse practitioners (NPs) in nurse-managed health centers (NMHCs) are poised to meet this need. This research study examined the characteristics of NPs working in NMHCs and measured job satisfaction and perceived level of autonomy. No studies about job satisfaction or autonomy for NPs working in NMHCs had been previously reported.


METHODS
This descriptive, quantitative study surveyed primary care NPs working in NMHCs that are part of the National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC). NP e-mail addresses were obtained from NNCC center directors. Of 198 NPs invited to the electronic survey, 99 completed the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale, demographic questionnaire, questions about perceived autonomy, and whether they would recommend working in an NMHC. Participants came from 16 states and 46 NMHCs.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs working in NMHCs have job satisfaction, perceive their role as autonomous, and are satisfied with the autonomy they have.


CONCLUSIONS
NMHCs can provide access to primary health care for many Americans. More NPs may choose employment in NMHCs for job satisfaction and autonomy.
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Abington VNA, Community Services, Children's Health Center, Abington, Pennsylvania PHMC Health Connection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ann Linguiti
AL
Pron
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058016:Health Facility Administration; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy
Autonomy; Misener NP Job Satisfaction Scale; nurse practitioners; nurse‐managed clinics; primary care