Relationship between support and job satisfaction among nurses working in residential long-term care facilities: a...

The quality of care in care facilities for older adults varies according to the employees' satisfaction level. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the level of support from supervisors and colleagues and job satisfaction among nurses working in care facilities for older persons. Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed the responses of 295 nurses in long-term care facilities in Japan to a questionnaire survey. The surveyed items included the nurses' satisfaction with their current job (the dependent variable), and the degree of support from supervisors and colleagues. Of the 295 nurses, 166 (56.3%) were satisfied with their nursing jobs. Additionally, 125 (42.4%) nurses had low support from both supervisors and colleagues, 110 (37.3%) had high support from either supervisors or colleagues, and 60 (20.3%) had high support from both. There was a positive association between support from supervisors and nurses' satisfaction. Furthermore, based on the criterion of low support from supervisors and colleagues, high support from either or both was significantly associated with nurses' satisfaction (an odds ratio of 2.04 in the case of support from either and 4.02 in the case of support from both). These results suggest that there should be strategic hiring and training of managers who can support staff, as well as the strengthening of teamwork.