With the expected future nurse shortage we need knowledge on nurses' life and work situation. The aim of this study is to examine 498 nurses' satisfaction with life (SwL) and job (SwJ), and intention to change job (IchJ), and to compare this with a control group of non-nurses (n ¼ 3,714). With data from a Norwegian population-based survey, we analysed associations between socio-demographic and work-related variables. In order to study SwL, SwJ and IchJ we performed bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The results show that nurses reported significantly higher SwL and SwJ than non-nurses. For nurses, high SwL was significantly associated with lower age, higher SwJ and appreciative leaders. Significant predictors of higher SwJ were: intention to stay in current job, autonomy, appreciative leader, less monotonous tasks and less stressful work. Intention to change job was associated with low age, nagging colleagues, temporary position and low SwJ. The conclusion is that nurses reported high SwL and SwJ; however, leaders should aim to promote permanent positions, and to minimize stressful work conditions and nagging coworkers.