Abstract:
Back ground: Efficiency and productivity of human resources depends upon many factors,
and job satisfaction is one of the most important factors. Nurses' job satisfaction plays an
important role in the delivery of high-quality health care. Nurses play a pivotal role in
determining the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of health care systems. Recent
studies show that nurses are highly dissatisfied with their jobs, which in turn results in
lower morale and seriously affects the quality of healthcare service. There is paucity of
studies addressing job satisfaction among nurses in public hospital setting, including
Jimma zone.
Objective: To assess job satisfaction and factors influencing it among nurses in Jimma zone
public hospitals, Oromia regional state, Southwestern Ethiopia, 2014.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10-April 10,
2014. Census was employed. A structured self-administered questionnaire based on a
modified version of the McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale was used. Data was entered
and analyzed using SPSS software. Mean satisfaction scores was compared by independent
variables using an independent sample T-test and ANOVA. Bivariate and multivariable
linear regression was done.
Result: A total of 316 nurses were included, a response rate of 92.67%. The overall mean
job satisfaction was (67.43 13.85). One third of the study participating nurses 33.5% (n =
106) had low level of job satisfaction. Working unit, mutual understanding at work,
professional commitment and work load were significant predictor with the overall job
satisfaction. Nurses were least satisfied from professional opportunities and extrinsic
reward subscales while they were most satisfied from coworker relation.
Conclusion& recommendation: Thirty three percent of nurses had low level of job
satisfaction. Professional commitment, workload, working unit and mutual understanding
at work predicted the outcome variable. Nurses were least satisfied from professional
opportunities and extrinsic reward. Thus, health care administrators, including nursing
administrators, should consider the factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction and try to
reduce them by implementing supportive strategies to increase job satisfaction.
