Historical and contemporary perspectives on nursing workforce satisfaction

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Policy
• Workforce Studies

Background:

• Historical dissatisfaction among nurses regarding working conditions, pay, and hours was documented in 1928.
• Contemporary surveys reveal persistent and widespread nurse dissatisfaction, echoing concerns from nearly a century ago.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the evolution of nursing satisfaction over the past century.
• To describe persistent challenges impacting nurse job satisfaction.
• To offer implications for nursing leadership and policy.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of nursing workforce surveys and reports.
• Comparative analysis of nursing satisfaction data from 1928 to 2024.
• Literature review on nursing workforce challenges and policy.

Main Results:

• Nurse dissatisfaction with working conditions, pay, and hours is a recurring theme spanning nearly 100 years.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing issues, accelerating retirements and increasing care demands.
• Persistent dissatisfaction poses significant risks to nursing workforce retention and patient care quality.

Conclusions:

• Nurse dissatisfaction is a systemic, long-standing issue requiring structural reforms.
• Urgent attention to nursing leadership, policy, and practice is needed to address workforce challenges.
• Addressing these persistent issues is critical for ensuring quality patient care and a stable nursing workforce.