A comparative correlational study of Jordanian Nurses' Perceptions of Job Security and Performance: Governmental versus Private Hospitals

Abstract

Background Job security is one of the basic needs of nurses, and it significantly impacts their willingness to work. The effectiveness of job performance among nurses will reflect on the organization's performance by providing high-quality health services. Aim The main purpose of this study is to identify Jordanian nurses' perceptions of job security and employee performance and to compare these variables between governmental and private hospitals. Method The study utilized a descriptive, comparative cross-sectional design. It was conducted in two governmental and two private hospitals. A sample of 156 nurses was recruited conveniently to participate in the study. The Job security questionnaire and The Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance were used to collect data. Results The mean value of the job security score was (3.26), reflecting a moderate level of job security. The employee performance score average was (2.68) reflecting a high level of job performance. Nurses working in private hospitals had significantly higher scores in terms of overall job security (t = -5.53, p < 0.001) and employee performance (M = 2.53, SD ± 0.53) than nurses working in governmental hospitals. Conclusion Nurses with moderate job security levels obtained high job performance scores. Private hospitals had higher job security and employee performance than governmental hospitals. Future research can look into the characteristics of Jordanian nursing work environments that might have contributed to the observed differences between job security and employee performance.