[A pilot study of the professional autonomy, job satisfaction, and related factors of nurses at a regional hospital].

Abstract

Professional autonomy often causes confusion in nursing staffs that limit their ability to perform to the best of their professional capabilities. Moreover, heavy and busy workloads reduce the energy available for work resulting in lower working efficiency and lower job satisfaction. This study explores the status and factors related to professional autonomy and job satisfaction in nurses. A cross-sectional design was used to target the nurses employed at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. Data on locus of control, professional autonomy, and job satisfaction were collected for analysis. Data were collected from 207 nurses, with 196 valid responses (response rate: 94.69%). One hundred and forty-six subjects (74.5%) were found to have an internal locus of control personality type. Scores for both professional autonomy and job satisfaction were above the "moderate" level (averages: 3.37 and 3.32, respectively, on a maximum scale of 5). Social demographic differences contributed to the variance in professional autonomy and job satisfaction among participants. Professional autonomy was found to be positively associated with job satisfaction. The findings of this study indicate that nurses with an internal locus of control personality exhibit higher professional autonomy and job satisfaction and that higher professional autonomy is associated with higher job satisfaction.