Learning Objective #1: Apply the result to develop a professional nurse role

Learning Objective #2: Create new environments fostering a professional nurse role

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Job satisfaction among nurses has been researched worldwide for many decades. There are studies supporting the relationships among employee satisfaction, productivity and performance, participation in decision making, retention and health (Hinshaw & Atwood, 1983; Snarr & Krochalk, 1996; Tappen, 2001). Employee satisfaction is a crucial success factor in any organization's performance. It directly affects financial performance and satisfied customers (McBride, 2002). Health care systems are changing; many have moved toward managed care; and others have reduced their work force which potentially have a great impact on nurses by requiring new roles and responsibilities. This study examined whether personal characteristics or unit characteristics contribute job satisfaction among registered nurses at a teaching and tertiary hospital in Thailand. A descriptive survey design was used. Paper and pencil self-rating questionnaires composed of three measurements, The Organizational Job Satisfaction Scale, Dempster Practice Behavior Scale (DPBS), and Leader Effectiveness & Adaptability Description (LEAD) were translated into Thai before being distributed along with demographic data to participants. This study included 49 head nurses and 614 registered nurses. Data collection took place over a month's period from July to August, 2003. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were utilized in the analysis. The results showed that autonomy was the most important variable that predicted job satisfaction. Participants reported having high level of overall autonomy with moderate to high on six subscales, including self-determinism, self-governance, independence, competency, accountability, and moral reflection. However, the participants reported having moderate level of overall job satisfaction with low level on pay/reward subscale while the professional status, interaction, and administration subscales were scored at a moderate level.