ORIGINAL PAPER
Nurse job satisfaction at a surgical ward – a comparative study between Sweden and Poland
1 1 | Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland (Faculty of Health Science, Clinical Nursing Department) |
2 | Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) |
3 | University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland (Pulmonology Department, Nursing Department) |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Lena Serafin
Medical University of Warsaw, Clinical Nursing Department, Erazma Ciołka 27, 01-445 Warsaw, Poland
Medical University of Warsaw, Clinical Nursing Department, Erazma Ciołka 27, 01-445 Warsaw, Poland
Online publication date: 2019-02-25
Med Pr 2019;70(2):155–167
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
psychosocial functioning in the workplace: burnout, work engagement, job satisfaction, motivation to workpsychological aspects of human resources management
ABSTRACT
Background: Job satisfaction is a major issue in work psychology among nurses, and in the surgical nursing context, important factors
leading to the perception of job satisfaction have been suggested. Two European Union neighboring countries (Sweden and Poland) were
chosen for the purpose of this study due to similar nursing education but different health care systems, employment regulations and salaries.
Recognition of the factors which are related to nurse job satisfaction may lead to improvements in the nurses’ working conditions. The aim
of this study was to explore and compare job satisfaction and various factors among Polish and Swedish nurses in a surgical ward context. Material and Methods: The study had a cross-sectional survey design, with questionnaires among Polish and Swedish nurses in surgical
care, and was conducted between April and December 2014. The main assessment tool was a Job Satisfaction Survey questionnaire. In
total, 408 nurses returned the questionnaire (response rate – 59%). Results: Swedish nurses rated job satisfaction significantly higher than
Polish nurses. The possibilities for professional development at the current workplace correlated with job satisfaction in both groups. Higher
values of exhaustion due to nurses’ working duties were correlated with general job satisfaction. Conclusions: Swedish and Polish nurses
showed ambivalence towards job satisfaction. Their job satisfaction increased when their exhaustion level was higher. The possibilities for
achievements, developing professional skills, and promotion may be important factors affecting job satisfaction. Med Pr. 2019;70(2):155–67
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