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Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
1998
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Graduate Nursing
First Advisor
Margaret Hegge
Keywords
nurse pracitioner job satisfaction, rural health services
Abstract
Nurse practitioners (NPs) have become an important part of the primary health care system. They provide quality health care in a productive and economical manner. These NPs have become a great asset to underserved areas including rural communities. However, attracting and retaining these health care professionals greatly depends on their level of job satisfaction. After a literature search very little data was found pertaining to job satisfaction among rural nurse practitioners.
This non-experimental descriptive correlational study identified factors in the workplace related to rural NP job satisfaction. The factors addressed in this study were basic demographics, and satisfaction with the following factors; compensation, time spent in patient care, interpersonal support received from colleagues, autonomy, longevity, and collaboration with colleagues. A questionnaire based on current literature findings and designed by the researcher was used to gather data for this study. Ninety-one NPs who were employed in rural health care settings participated in the study.
A moderate relationship was found between satisfaction with the amount of compensation received and job satisfaction. No relationship was found between a nurse practitioner's satisfaction with the amount of time they spend in patient care and longevity. Only a weak relationship was found between a nurse practitioner's satisfaction with support received from clinical services and job satisfaction. No relationship was found between a nurse practitioner's satisfaction with autonomy in his or her current job and longevity. No relationship was found between a nurse practitioner's satisfaction with autonomy in his or her current job and collaboration with colleagues. A strong relationship was found between satisfaction with the amount of interpersonal support received from colleagues and job satisfaction. Only a moderate relationship was found between job satisfaction and mutual planning and collaboration with colleagues.
These findings will hopefully benefit both nurse practitioners as well as their colleagues and employers to help increase the level ofjob satisfaction among NPs. The results could help decrease costly turnover and increase the access to the high quality health care nurse practitioners have become known for.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Nurse practitioners -- Job satisfaction
Rural health services
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
92
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © 1999 Ann Riewer. All rights reserved
Recommended Citation
Riewer, Ann, "Job Satisfaction of Nurse Practitioners in Rural Health Care Settings" (1998). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 885.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/885