Measuring job satisfaction among hospital nurses: some methodological issues

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to compare between the various methods that have been used to measure the job satisfaction of nurses. Five different measures were developed a global measure, an unweighted direct facet-specific measure, an unweighted indirect facet-specific measure, a weighted direct facet-specific measure, and a weighted indirect facet-specific measure. Using the interviewing method, the scaIes constructed to calculate these measures were administered to 91 nurses employed at one of the general hospitals that belong to the Ministry of Public Health in Alexandria. Results indicated that all the ten job facets were rated as very important by the greater proportion of respondents. A statistically significant positive correlation was detected between the total score of all five measures of satisfaction; however the correlation was strong between the weighted and unweighted direct measure, and between the weighted and unweighted indirect measure, but was intermediate between all the remaining measures. Comparison between ratings of satisfaction with ten specific job facets, as measured by the direct and indirect methods, revealed a statistically significant difference for nine facets. Mostly, a more favourable attitude was expressed by the direct method. The accuracy of the available methods of measurement of job satisfaction, and the value of incorporating the degree of importance of job facets in facet-specific measures were questioned. The need for further research in this area was emphasized