Job satisfaction among registered nurses in two Scandinavian acute care hospitals

To explore job satisfaction among registered nurses working in acute care hospitals, and to examine which background factors influence registered nurses' total job satisfaction.

Job satisfaction among registered nurses is important when considering the well-being and retention of registered nurses. Research has shown that registered nurses in different countries experience various levels of job satisfaction.

In 2015, a total of 406 Finnish and Norwegian registered nurses answered a survey based on the Kuopio University Hospital Job Satisfaction Scale. The collected data were analysed with nonparametric tests and multiple linear analyses.

The registered nurses rated motivating factors of work and work welfare highest, while the lowest degrees of job satisfaction were related to requiring factors of work and participation in decision-making.

Registered nurses appreciate their work in both countries, however attention should be paid to work demands and the extent to which registered nurses are involved in decision-making to enhance their job satisfaction.

Nurse leaders should be aware of registered nurses' diverse backgrounds and use this knowledge to recognize registered nurses in need of support. The paths through which registered nurses participate in decision-making should be streamlined and workloads should be regularly assessed so that work is distributed evenly.