Hospital sisters: work attitudes, perceptions and wastage

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Healthcare Workforce Studies

Background:

• Hospital sisters' job satisfaction and perceptions are crucial for staff retention.
• Understanding the factors influencing nurses' decisions to leave or stay is vital for healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine hospital sisters' attitudes and perceptions towards their work.
• To investigate the relationship between these perceptions and job absence, intent to leave, and wastage.
• To apply the Minnesota Theory of Work Adjustment and role stress theory.

Main Methods:

• Utilized rating scales developed based on the Minnesota Theory of Work Adjustment and role stress theory.
• Compared job satisfaction, absence, role ambiguity, tension, and role conflict between sisters who left and those who stayed.
• Assessed intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction factors.

Main Results:

• Most hospital sisters reported general job satisfaction, but a minority experienced role conflict and ambiguity.
• Leavers showed less satisfaction with extrinsic job features and higher levels of tension and role conflict compared to stayers.
• No significant differences were found between leavers and stayers regarding intrinsic satisfaction, absence, or role ambiguity.

Conclusions:

• A 'mobility culture' exists, suggesting that after initial employment, jobs may lack sufficient challenge for sisters.
• Dissatisfaction with extrinsic factors and a need for greater job stimulation appear to drive turnover among hospital sisters.
• Addressing job challenge and extrinsic rewards is essential for improving retention in hospital nursing roles.