Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Exploring social support and job satisfaction among associate degree program directors in California
Ronda D Mintz-Binder1, Joyce J Fitzpatrick
1University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing, USA. rondamb@uta.edu
Nursing program director shortages in California are rising, threatening program viability. This study found that increased job satisfaction and social support can improve retention for these vital roles.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Management
- Workforce Studies
Background:
- California faces a growing shortage of program directors for Associate Degree Registered Nursing (ADRN) programs.
- Extended vacancies and insufficient qualified applicants jeopardize program accreditation and continuation.
- This trend poses a significant risk to nursing education and the future registered nurse workforce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore factors influencing job satisfaction and social support among ADRN program directors.
- To identify key variables contributing to retention concerns in these leadership positions.
- To understand the relationship between social support and job satisfaction in this critical role.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory study design was employed.
- Investigated variables including social support and job satisfaction.
- Examined factors such as peer interaction, job discontent, and retention.
Main Results:
- Limited opportunities for peer interaction were identified as a concern.
- Expressed job discontent and retention issues were noted among participants.
- A significant positive correlation was found between job satisfaction and social support.
Conclusions:
- Job satisfaction and social support are crucial for retaining ADRN program directors.
- Addressing limited peer interaction and job discontent may improve retention rates.
- Further research is recommended to develop targeted interventions for supporting nursing program leadership.
Related Concept Videos
Relationship Formation
Social Relationships and Well-Being
Role-Based Identity
Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Degrees of Freedom
For example, suppose there are three unknown numbers whose mean is 10; although we can freely assign values to the first and second numbers, the value of the last number can not be arbitrarily...
Degrees of Freedom
For example, suppose there are three unknown numbers whose mean is 10; although we can freely assign values to the first and second numbers, the value of the last number can not be arbitrarily assigned.