Assessment of Nurses’ Satisfaction under the Universal Health Care Program

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of the complex phenomenon of job satisfaction will help develop effective strategies to address the nursing shortage and improve the quality of patient care.

The aim of our study was to identify correlations between the characteristics of nurses’ job satisfaction.

Methods: The study included 71 nurses from clinics in Dedoplistskaro, Tsalka, Dmanisi, Lanchkhuti, Kharagauli, Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi, Tianeti, Tetritskaro and Kazbegi medical institutions.

Respondents assessed the working environment, the institution’s care for the well-being of staff, control of sanitary norms, availability of medical equipment and resources, support and cooperation among colleagues, opportunities for professional development, remuneration, division of labor, work schedule and rest time on a 5-point scale.

Results: Nurses most often rated support and cooperation among colleagues with the maximum score (38.03%), least often - satisfaction with the division of labor and provision of resources. None of the respondents rated the full use of rest with 5 points. The lowest - 1 point - was the most often rated satisfaction with trainings (35%).

General satisfaction with work was assessed as follows: no respondent rated 1 point, 11.27% rated 2 points, 53.52% rated 3 points, 28.17% rated 4 points, and only 7.04% of respondents rated 5 points.

According to satisfaction, the lowest average score was for satisfaction with the working environment (1.51+1.04), and the highest was for the assessment of sanitary standards at the workplace (4.1+0.72); overall satisfaction with work was 3.31+0.81 points.

The following factors showed a significant positive correlation with overall satisfaction: availability of medical equipment and resources - r=.353**, p=0.003; support and cooperation among colleagues - r=.459**, p=<0.001; appreciation of work - r=.359**, p=0.002; satisfaction with salary r=.328**, p=0.005; satisfaction with training - r=.370**, p=0.002; satisfaction with work schedule - r=.265*, p=0.026;

Socially responsible approach to employees and consideration of their demands and rights are essential for nurses' job satisfaction. Keywords: job satisfaction, management, work environment.