Nursing Job Satisfaction

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I have a question regarding nurse job satisfaction. I have worked in many areas of nursing and have found that nurses seem more overworked, less happy and looking for something new. What is the reason nurses may not be happy with their job or at work?

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Specializes in PACU.

I can think of many reasons. But for me, the location, pay, and department politics pretty much does it. I am a new graduate so I guess I can't complain because at least I do have a job. :unsure:

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Powerlessness. Some is perpetuated by the systematic forces, and unfortunately, some is perpetuated by nurses themselves.

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One of the reoccurring themes that I've found to cause me job dissatisfaction is that I am responsible for everything whether it falls with in the nursing realm or not. Add on top of that inadequate breaks, and abuse from all angles (docs, patients, family members, management, other allied health related fields). And instead of nurses coming together and just decide we are not doing these ridiculous tasks, and excessive charting....they take the frustration out on each other by means of being bully-like, and/or short with one another.

Administration can't fire every nurse. They can't afford to fire 75% of the nurses. Everybody should just call out there next shift and head straight to the mall or beach or have a Spa week letting others cater to you and/or look up other careers and start filling out the paperwork for school or business loan/proposals. Or better yet wait by the phone and agree to come in after they state a FAIR base hourly rate....

Everyday is a battle between remaining humble and standing up for myself.

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I understand the meaning of powerlessness, and things that are not in control of the nurse. What do you mean by being perpetuated by nurses themselves?

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I am doing some research on this and trying to find ways to help nurses find happiness and job satisfaction in the midst of some of the challenges in healthcare and the nursing field. Can you explain the battle between remaining humble and standing up for yourself?

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Thank you for your replies. I have been trying to do some market research on this subject. Here is a summary of some of the feedback I have received in other forums. Feel free to add more...

I understand that nursing and healthcare is changing so much. Based on some of the feedback I received, it seems there are many problems that can effect nursing job satisfaction and nursing performance. It seems like there is not much time to care for patients. Poor job satisfaction to occur more in places where management is not demonstrating the best leadership. I agree that each nurse is responsible for her/his attitude on the unit. In spite of weak leadership (changing healthcare, finances), nurses must take responsibility for being the change they want to see and have a good attitude. The magic question is... How can a nurse do this?

I am trying to do some research on the problem and the solution.

So far the problems are:

1. High Patient Assignments

2. Weak-Ineffective Leadership focusing on budgets.

3. Overworked Tired Nurse

4. New younger generation of nurses having challenges

5. Being Surrounded by Grumpy miserable nurses, which effect you on the floors or units

6. Too much non nursing responsibility

7. Difficult families, patients MDs, etc

Solution:

1. Stand up and verbalize the challenges together.

2. Get active in the unit and politically

3. Be responsible for your own attitude.

4. Do not be afraid to communicate with leadership

These problems with job satisfaction can lead to bullying, sick calls, turnover

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

Lack of support from management, unsafe assignments, politics, being expected to suck it up in any circumstance, disrespectful doctors, lack of team work, being treated like a concierge/waitress, evaluations based on customer satisfaction instead of care given to patients, continual in-services on how to be a better customer service representative....I'm getting out.

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I'm a RN and work on a med/surgical floor and float to other areas. I think the assignments are too heavy,nurse to patient ratio during day shift is 6 to 1 and I think it is dangerous. I don't understand JACHO they come in and make sure all the cabinets are locked all food and drinks are out of our nursing supply rooms, no food in the patient refrigerator, and all the petty little things are complied with but never address real issues like acuity of patients and staffing ratios. The amount of charting is crazy but I completely understand why that must be done, but no one has anytime to read any of the charts. I literally start my shift running and don't stop. I take about a 15 minute break on a 12 hour shift to eat something quick. The 12 hour shift turns into a 13 to 13.5 hour shift. Families are demanding and expect great service and care and deserve just that but under these conditions it is impossible. We could all be better nurses with better "customer service" if the ratios were changed and it is that simple but the hospital can get away with it and save money, so they continue to slam us all and expect us to smile and provide great care which is simply impossible. Job satisfaction is 0 for this floor nurse. I would take less pay if I could be guaranteed less patients. I know the acuity makes a difference and you can have 4 train wrecks and have a worse day than if you had 6 stable patients, but 6 patients is just too much and is dangerous. When I say 6 patients we all know that doesn't count the 6 you started with the two you discharged and two admissions you got during your shift. Sorry for this post, I know I'm babbling on and venting.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Mclennan has accurately identified the root cause - Powerlessness. This is a recurring theme and basis for dissatisfaction in itself. We (nurses) have are unable to fulfill our professional roles because of extraneous factors (workload, arbitrary policies, etc)..... and we cannot do anything about it. This gives rise to the "what's the use" feeling... fast train to burnout.

Heather Laschinger has studied this for a loooong time. Take a Google at her research if you want to be able to clearly articulate all these problems.

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Specializes in ER, Critical Care.

While most everything I have read hits the nail on the head, my biggest beef is society and everyone's expectations with healthcare. I work and ER setting and I am really stuck in a rut lately. We see the same patients, usually on medicaid or no insurance, walk in with their set of demands, and we cater to their every need!!!! Just because we don't want to get bad reviews. Here let me get you a warm blanket, TV remote, turkey sandwich with a side if IM/IV narcotic.....and then I will see you tomorrow and we'll do it all again.....something NEEDS to change.

Next comes the patient who wants STD testing done.....maybe if this wasn't a service that is offered through the ER, when the patient can come in at his/her convenience, and not have to pay anything for it, it would make the patient think twice about things, even if for just a split second....

I know, I can go on an on and on, but I think we, as a society, need to really take a look at what healthcare really should be about, and not go in and expect to be waited on hand and foot!

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Please do not blame the patients for the health system that they must use and DID NOT CREATE.

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