Positive practice environments influence job satisfaction of primary health care clinic nursing managers in two South African provinces

Abstract

BackgroundNurses constitute the majority of the health workforce in South Africa and they play a major role in providing primary health care (PHC) services. Job satisfaction influences nurse retention and successful implementation of health system reforms. This study was conducted in light of renewed government commitment to reforms at the PHC level, and to contribute to the development of solutions to the challenges faced by the South African nursing workforce. The objective of the study was to determine overall job satisfaction of PHC clinic nursing managers and the predictors of their job satisfaction in two South African provinces.MethodsDuring 2012, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two South African provinces. Stratified random sampling was used to survey a total of 111 nursing managers working in PHC clinics. These managers completed a pre-tested Measure of Job Satisfaction questionnaire with subscales on personal satisfaction, workload, professional support, training, pay, career prospects and standards of care. Mean scores were used to measure overall job satisfaction and various subscales. Predictors of job satisfaction were determined through multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 108 nursing managers completed the survey representing a 97% response rate. The mean age of respondents was 49 years (SD = 7.9) and the majority of them (92%) were female. Seventy-six percent had a PHC clinical training qualification. Overall mean job satisfaction scores were 142.80 (SD = 24.3) and 143.41 (SD = 25.6) for Gauteng and Free State provinces respectively out of a maximum possible score of 215. Predictors of job satisfaction were: working in a clinic of choice (RRR = 3.10 (95% CI: 1.11 to 8.62, P = 0.030)), being tired at work (RRR = 0.19 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.50, P = 0.001)) and experience of verbal abuse (RRR = 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.55, P = 0.001).ConclusionAllowing nurses greater choice of clinic to work in, the prevention of violence and addressing workloads could improve the practice environment and job satisfaction of PHC clinic nursing managers.

Factors influencing recruitment and retention of professional nurses, doctors and allied health professionals in rural hospitals in KwaZulu Natal

“…These positive factors however did not influence and determine job choices among our participants. This supports the findings of other researchers that state that despite the challenges faced working in a rural district hospital, there can still be high levels of job satisfaction (Hegney & McCarthy, 2000;Munyewende et al, 2014). In addition, our findings suggest health workers in rural areas were much more likely to be living away from their families (partner/spouse and children) and in hospital accommodation, a situation which frequently led to dissatisfaction and a desire to leave their current post which correlates to findings of Steinmetz et al (2014) who found having children at home increases turnover of nurses.…”

Processo de trabalho e seu impacto nos profissionais de enfermagem em serviço de saúde mental

“…Thus, mental health services must combine physical resources with the work demands in order to decrease the work overloads to the health of nursing staff, (4) since organizational aspects may play a more significant role for the professional burnout than individual aspects. (1,9) The heavy working hours and multiple functions have also been mentioned as physical loads to which nursing professionals were exposed, consisting work overload and generating negative impacts on the workers' health.…”

“…(13,14) Moreover, the construction of a pleasant atmosphere in the workplace contributes to the prevention of professionals' emotional exhaustion. (1) Many nursing workers identify themselves with the professional activity they develop, but feel with few internal resources to cope better with unexpected situations that arise in the daily service, such as a discussion between users starting unexpectedly or aggressive actions of users with other professionals or themselves. For not knowing how to handle these demands, the physical and/or mental loads are more perceived.…”

“…(1,2) A bibliographic search in the Virtual Health Library from the year 2011 resulted in 15 articles related to the work impact for nursing professionals. However, only five of them dealt with the phenomenon experienced in mental health services.…”

Study of the Relationship between Organizational Climate and Nurses' Performance: A University Hospital Case

“…In competitive global health care settings, there is recognition of the importance of the health workforce to health systems development, and the need to establish a positive work climate is increasingly critical to nurses' satisfaction, productivity, and performance [1]. A positive organizational climate can increase nurses' commitment to their job and reduce their intention to leave [2].…”