Sources and consequences of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in nursing: findings from a national sample

The implications for the current nursing shortage of the job satisfaction and dissatisfaction described by 252 members of the American Nursing Association are discussed. Comparison of sources of dissatisfaction by the frequency with which they were mentioned, the strength of emotion with which they were expressed and their potential to provoke defection from nursing, indicate inadequate working conditions and counter-productive attitudes within employing organizations to be the most serious sources of dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction with remuneration and benefits rank second to structural problems, by each measure. The relative importance of problems with gender and family roles, colleagues, education, and professional associations, and of respect, recognition, and autonomy issues are also discussed.