J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2013 Sep;19(4):470-479.

A Comparative Study on Nursing Practice Environment, Professionalism, and Job Satisfaction according to Hospital Size

• Lee MH
• Kim JK

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to investigate and compare the characteristics and relations of nursing practice environment, professionalism and job satisfaction among nurses in general hospitals according to hospital size.
METHODS
The participants included 314 staff and charge nurses who were working in the general medical/surgical nursing units in one large hospital, three medium sized hospitals, and four small hospitals. Data collected through using self-report questionnaire were analyzed using the SPSS and SAS statistical programs.
RESULTS
Nursing practice environment and job satisfaction had significant differences according to hospital size. Both of these scales were highest for medium hospitals and lowest for small hospitals. For all hospital sizes there were positive correlations between each of the variables. Multiple regression analysis showed that both nursing practice environment and job satisfaction were affected by hospital size, but professionalism was not.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that nursing practice environment and job satisfaction vary with the size of the hospital. Therefore, further study is necessary to identify the work environment variables of nurses for performance management and to implement appropriate policies.

Keyword

Nurses; Hospitals; Health facility environment; Professional competence; Job satisfaction

MeSH Terms

Health Facility Environment
Health Facility Size
Hospitals, General
Job Satisfaction
Nursing, Supervisory
Phenothiazines
Professional Competence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Weights and Measures
Phenothiazines

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