The effects of biographical variables on job satisfaction among nurses

A review of the literature confirms that there is no clear picture with regard to which biographical variables are strongly correlated with job satisfaction. Studies have shown small and inconsistent effects on variables, such as age, gender, education and personality, on job satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the effect of biographical variables on job satisfaction among nurses. The study used a dominant-less dominant mixed-method design and quantitative data were collected by a postal questionnaire survey. The sample was selected using stratified random sampling. The findings demonstrated no significant differences in job satisfaction for female and male nurses, and between job satisfaction and tenure. The findings did, however, confirm that nurses under the age of 35 were less satisfied than those over the age of 36; nurses with degrees were less satisfied than those without; and nurses in senior positions are more satisfied than their junior counterparts. The findings should be interpreted with caution because of the sample size and the small correlations between variables. Limitations aside, this study provides an insight into the relationship between these variables among nurses in the Republic of Ireland. It is possible that biographical variables are distal influences on job satisfaction, but further research is needed to better understand the relationship between these two sets of variables.