60% of nurses happy with their job

SIX-out-of-10 nurses are satisfied in their jobs, according to a new survey.

The study found 41% of Irish nurses are not fulfilled in their profession - a figure broadly similar to other international studies of professional satisfaction within the nursing profession.

The study, by Trinity College School of Nursing and Midwifery Lecturer Elizabeth Curtis, also reveals that nurses view professional status, autonomy and social and formal interaction with colleagues as the issues that most contribute to their job satisfaction.

“Clearly, if we are to retain nurses in this country and stop turnover rates, administrators and nursing managers will need to design and implement initiatives that will promote the professional status, interaction, and autonomy of nurses within their organisations,” she said.

As part of the study, a questionnaire was completed by 610 nurses around the country. They were asked what issues they considered important to job satisfaction. It emerged that what they theoretically considered important and what actually contributed to their current job differed enormously.

Theoretically, pay was seen as one of the most important factors, but in reality it was the issue that contributed least to the current levels of satisfaction.

“Pay and organisational policy contributed least to job satisfaction. Clearly, this is an area where there is more need for management to pull their socks up,” said Ms Curtis.

This research will be presented at the Royal College of Surgeons International Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference.

Meanwhile, another researcher will present a study on Diversity in Health Care: A Review of Lesbian Women’s Health Care.

The paper, by Mel Duffy, examines the healthcare experiences of lesbians and will demonstrate how they attend healthcare providers less than heterosexuals due to healthcare professional’s judgemental and negative attitudes toward them.