4268.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - Board 6

Abstract #1910

A work force in transition: How satisfied are home health nurses?

Said Abu Salem, MSN, RN, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 2148 larkspur Dr. #26-C, Lexington, KY 40504, 606 313 5415, ssalem@rocketmail.com

Research Objective:Job satisfaction has been shown to be related to productivity, motivation and retention. This study addressed the degree of home health nurses' job satisfaction, what nurses rank as the most important satisfiers, and the difference between job satisfaction levels of full time, part time, and per diem home health nurses. Study Design: The data were collected from six home health agencies in a southeastern state resulting in a sample of (N=72). The McCloskey and Mueller Satisfaction Scale developed in 1990 (MMSS) was used to measure home health nurses' satisfaction. Findings: The overall mean global score of the MMSS was (3.54), reflecting marginal job satisfaction among home health nurses studied. The most highly ranked indicators of home health nurses' job satisfaction (highest to the lowest) were: scheduling, praise and recognition, interaction opportunities, reward, control and responsibility, and professional opportunities. The overall mean score of the full time employed nurses was higher than the overall mean score of per diem and part time nurses. Conclusions: On the basis of the study findings, home health nurses in this study were marginally satisfied with their work environments. Scheduling was the most highly ranked indicator of job satisfaction score. The study also found that full time employed home health nurses reported higher job satisfaction scores than per diem and part time nurses. Significant differences across sites suggest that organizational variables may make a difference in levels of job satisfaction.

Learning Objectives: help administrators better understand variables that is important to improve job satisfaction in home health, realize the most important variable of home health job satisf. in the current environment

Keywords: Balanced Budget Act, Home Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA