Learning Objective #1: Analyze the relationships among educational preparation, autonomy, and critical thinking to nursing job satisfaction

Learning Objective #2: Compare and contrast job satisfiers and job dissatisfiers of practicing nurses related to autonomy, critical thinking, and educational preparation

---

This descriptive correlational study was devised to explore factors that influence job satisfaction. Driven by the pervasive nursing shortage and the current rate of job turnover, the study examined the relationship between educational preparation, autonomy, critical thinking, and job satisfaction. Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory was the theoretical framework used for this study. The convenience sample of 140 registered nurses was drawn from the population practicing in medical-surgical, management, home health, and community health nursing. The relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was employed to determine which variables explained the most variance in job satisfaction. The results of the analysis of data gathered in this research study indicated (a) a statistically significant positive correlation between total job satisfaction and perceived autonomy, (b) there was a statistically significant positive correlation between critical thinking and total job satisfaction, (c) a statistically significant positive correlation between educational preparation, autonomy, and critical thinking to total job satisfaction, (d) a significant positive correlation between job satisfiers and total job satisfaction, and (e) a significant negative correlation between job dissatisfiers and total job satisfaction. The study found that satisfaction among nurses was interrelated to autonomy, critical thinking, and educational preparation. Nursing, the largest cadre of health care in society, is currently experiencing a critical shortage, and complaints from the public have increased. The results of this study have implications for educators and health care providers. The study provides support that by creating organizational environments that enhance nurse autonomy and critical thinking will result in higher levels of job satisfaction. In order to heighten quality of care the need for understanding job satisfaction through critical thinking, educational level, and autonomy is essential.