Hospital staff members are satisfied with their jobs

Job related satisfaction was evaluated by registered nurses, physicians, nurse assistants and aids at an internal medicine clinic at a university hospital in Sweden. A questionnaire concerning cooperation, work load, support, independence and other work related factors was developed and filled out by 153 individuals. The results mostly show high job satisfaction in all professional groups. Nevertheless, nearly half of the staff wanted to quit their jobs. Those who planned to leave their jobs perceived themselves as less satisfied with such factors as cooperation, job complexity, help received from superiors and sufficient time for care delivery, than did those who did not plan to quit. The differences were most evident in the group of registered nurses. The head nurse appeared to have an important supportive function. In conclusion, the results suggest that a supportive organization might reduce personnel turnover in hospitals.