Utriainen and Kyingas: Exploring Hospital Nurses' Job Satisfaction
Utriainen and Kyingas explored a frequently overlooked component of the nursing profession: hospital nurses' job satisfaction. They used the art of literature review to establish pragmatic issues defining general work attitudes among nurses within the hospital environment in their attempt to establish pragmatic issues characterizing general work attitudes among nurses inside the hospital environment. The study focused mostly on research conducted in Western countries, particularly the United States. Significantly, they selected and analyzed the original sources using computerized databases such as Abi, Medline Ovid, PsycINFO, and Cinahl. In this case, there was the use of predetermined sequence which first involved developing research plan and questions, search for original sources based on the main words such as job satisfaction and nurses, content analysis as well as a selection of the original studies based on a particular criterion.
Determinants of Hospital Nurses' Job Satisfaction
The resulting findings revealed an interplay of three significant aspects that determine hospital nurses' job satisfaction that is patient care, an organization of nursing work, and interpersonal relationships. In this case, high-quality patient care demonstrated through receipt of personal praise from patients and their families, and also the joy of seeing patients' condition improve are significant in nurses' job satisfaction. On the other hand, an interpersonal relationship that is perceived in teamwork and a healthy social environment, as well as the organization of nursing work through adequate remuneration and concern for work-family relationships, determine the job satisfaction. The in-depth discussion of these factors shows that the findings are applicable and relevant to the current needs of nurse administrators and managers. As a means of enhancing job satisfaction among nurses in the hospital environment nurse managers should pay particular attention to these aspects especially interpersonal relationships and patient care.
Background of the Study
The background to the study is drawn from the fact that most research work has always revolved around stress and dissatisfaction among the nurses. Utriainen and Kyingas (2009) endeavored to consider the positive viewpoint which is a relatively neglected area in exploring job satisfaction. In this case, they attempted to establish factors that nurse managers could implement in the hospitals such as improving interpersonal relationships and quality patient care among others to enhance performance and satisfaction among the nurses. Purposely, the literature review sought to answer the question "What factors influenced nurses' job satisfaction positively?" as a means of creating a concept of nurses' job satisfaction based on earlier research data (Utriainen & Kyingas, 2009). Notably, the background to the study demonstrates adequate congruence because it tackles an issue of present significance while answering questions that address contemporary issues.
Study Methodology
The study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods in which predetermined criteria involving the use of electronic databases resulted in a data set of 21 papers. For instance, out of the 66 papers that were established using the key words nurses and job satisfaction, eighteen of the papers met the requirement after examining their headlines and abstracts. The review further considered three papers obtained through analysis of original sources. Moreover, the study was based on recent sources that were published within a particular timeframe that is from the year 1997 to 2006. Further efforts involved the choice of highly scientific and original data to ensure that the resulting knowledge is applicable and relevant to the current needs. On the other hand, Utriainen and Kyingas conducted content analysis inductively guided by the findings of Polit and Hungler on the relevant processes involved in the content analysis. Meanwhile, the use of electronic database based on set strategies enabled a single information worker to undertake the whole process of establishing the relevant sources of data. It is apparent that the entire process was not based on a particular conceptual framework. However, the methodology used is satisfactorily founded on the acceptable standards of the literature review.
Findings and their Significance
The study revealed three sources of job satisfaction among nurses that is interpersonal relationships, patient care as well as the organization of nursing work. Interpersonal relationship as one of the essential predictors of job satisfaction among nurses was based on factors such as interaction and communication with co-workers. Apparently, nurse-nurse relationship or nurse-physician and other staff members is a source of strength as was the confession among most nurses. It resulted into harmony and togetherness which are essential attributes of teamwork. Furthermore, a social climate that enhanced free conversation, friendship and joyous events such as coffee breaks together had a positive influence on the job satisfaction among nurses as indicated in the study. Notably, the findings have a bearing on the contemporary job satisfaction because a proper decision-making processes occur when people freely interact, communicate and express their opinions in a workplace.
The results also pointed at quality patient care and organization of work as positive factors that enhanced job satisfaction among nurses. Quality patient care enabled the nurse to get personal praise from patients and their families. Moreover, the nurses demonstrated that seeing patients become get well was a source of strength and satisfaction in their roles. On the other hand, an organization of work encompassed the concern for a work-family relationship, balanced workload, autonomy, and adequate remunerations. These factors remain relevant to job satisfaction among nurses. However, the study has not proposed any further research into the suggested positive aspects that are considered to be critical in predicting nurses' job satisfaction. In as much as the findings are based on original resources with quantitative data, failing to suggest any further examination of the results is an indication of absoluteness that is not objective.
Ethical Consideration
As a research tradition, ethical consideration of the study explains the validity and truthfulness in the general conduct of the research work. In regards to the study, ethical concerns were based on the choice of data sources, analysis, and originality. In this case, authentic databases such as PsycINFO and ABI/Inform were used. Additionally, there is an independent criterion involved in determining the sources. Other aspects such as validity are evident in the use of content analysis which is a scientific approach, and the involvement of two independent researchers is an indication of high ethical standards. Conversely, it is not feasible to examine other ethical aspects that involve interviews and experiment since the study was based on earlier research work. As a result, the originality of the selected sources relies on the assumption that other ethical aspects were considered.
Conclusion
From an intellectual standpoint, Utrainen and Kyingas' study of hospital nurses' job satisfaction: a literature review fills a fellow research gap due to its positive viewpoint of the subject. The study background reveals job satisfaction as a present problem that has not been adequately addressed by previous research works since they concentrated on other aspects such as stress and dissatisfaction. Additionally, the methods used in the literature review such electronic databases and content analysis established resources that are consistent with the purpose of the study which was to discuss relevant and recent literature to create a concept of job satisfaction among nurses. As a result, the study revealed three major factors that influence job satisfaction that is interpersonal relationships, quality patient care, and the organization of nursing work. Meanwhile, the whole process of the study was conducted given the ethical considerations based on validity, truthfulness, and originality. However, thin lines of weaknesses are evident in the failure to propose further research into the suggested factors that influence job satisfaction among nurses. Therefore, the stated predictors of job satisfaction among nurses are relevant and should be adopted by nurse managers to enhance performance and output.
Reference
Utriainen, K., & Kyngas, H. (2009). Hospital nurses' job satisfaction: a literature review. Journal of nursing management, 17(8), 1002-1010.
