Job satisfaction and intent to leave of nursing assistants in a hospital setting.

Abstract

Nursing assistants are an important part of the healthcare team in hospitals. However, there has been little research about the antecedents of job satisfaction and intent to leave of nursing assistants in hospitals. The limited amount of research related to job satisfaction of nursing assistants has been done with nursing assistants in nursing homes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and intent to leave in hospital based nursing assistant in North Carolina. In addition, the influence of personal characteristics, role related characteristics and job characteristics were examined. The study used a descriptive correlational survey design using the Hospital Nursing Assistant Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. Participants in this study were most satisfied with the work content, coworkers, workplace support, and work schedule. Data revealed a significant relationship between intent to leave, education level and hospital tenure. The strongest predictors for job satisfaction were work schedule, coworkers, chances for more training, and on the job training. The strongest predictors for intent to leave were workplace support, work schedule, and recommend the hospital to a friend. This study represents a beginning understanding of the factors that are associated with job satisfaction and intent to leave of nursing assistants in the hospital setting. Job satisfaction and intent to leave variables have been identified and need further examination to insure that nursing assistants are retained and productive members of the healthcare team.