Stamps and Piedmonte's Index of Work Satisfaction and Harris's Nurse Stress Index were completed by 287 registered nurses employed in state prison health care facilities in order to assess job satisfaction and job stress among correctional nurses. Correctional nurses' expectations about job satisfaction were influenced by pay and autonomy. This finding was consistent with studies of hospital nurses. Important sources of job satisfaction were professional status and interaction with employees. Analysis of differences between expectations and sources of job satisfaction may provide understanding of career benefits and sources of dissatisfaction. Time pressures and organizational support and involvement were sources of stress. Multivariate analyses showed an inverse relationship between stress and job satisfaction. Information about job satisfaction and work stress and their correlates may be used to develop strategies to improve the recruitment and retention of correctional nurses.
Results of a survey of 287 correctional nurses are reported. This report focuses on the differences in correctional nursing, health care needs of prisoners, and training needs of correctional nurses. To establish the context for the study, scholarship on job satisfaction and stress within the nursing profession, and on the unique context of correctional nursing is summarized. Demographic variables of the surveyed nurses are described. Content analysis was performed on the responses. Implications for retention, education, and professional development of correctional nurses are explored.
We revised the undergraduate nursing research course using levels of evidence as the template with which to organize the course content and learning activities. A primary purpose in restructuring the course using an evidence-based practice framework was to increase student interest and engagement, and to promote the development of practitioners who will continue to learn about and use research. Learning to systematically locate, evaluate, and use the best available research is the hallmark of evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives. Students developed these skills as they sought the answer to a specific clinical problem. One of the most significant outcomes of this approach was students' ability to integrate previously fragmented components of research knowledge and to see the relevance of research evidence for providing excellent patient care.
Stress levels and the top two sources of stress were essentially the same for both groups of correctional nurses. Sources of satisfaction are ranked similarly but subscale and overall scores indicate that the nurses in the replication study were more dissatisfied. Findings validate the theoretical proposition in the anticipated turnover model that job stress is a major predictor variable in explaining job satisfaction.
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