Nursing 1996
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Item Role Strain and Job Satisfaction in Registered Nurses(Nursing Department, The University of Tampa, 1996-06-27) Schmidt, Lee Alan; Patricia Schultz, RN, EdDThis study investigated role strain as an extra-work correlate of job satisfaction in the registered nurse population. Prior investigations of job satisfaction in registered nurses have limited the focus of inquiry to factors within the work environment or the context of the job itself This study moved beyond these environmental and contextual factors and examined the relationship between the strain produced by occupation of multiple roles and global job satisfaction. For this inquiry, role strain was conceptualized as a subjective response of tension or frustration which occurred when role demands conflicted. Global job satisfaction was defined as an overall evaluation of the job itself, processed through individual norms, values, and expectations. Ninety eight randomly selected registered nurses participated in the study. Respondents completed a mailed survey which assessed role strain, global job satisfaction, the number and type of roles occupied, the percentage of time spent in these roles, and their perceived satisfaction with performance in roles. Demographic information related to this study and the population of registered nurses in general was also collected. Findings noted significant, inverse relationships between role strain and global job satisfaction and between role strain and self-reported satisfaction with performance in roles. A significant relationship between role strain and the number of roles occupied was also demonstrated. The relationship between role strain and the total percentage of time spent in roles was not significant. These .findings provide some support for the position that job satisfaction is not limited to the contextual elements of the work environment or work itself Rather, job satisfaction may be affected by factors outside the organizational structure. This information should be useful to administrators as they plan programs directed at enhancing the job satisfaction of registered nurses.