Exploring job satisfaction and turnover intentions among general practice nurses in an Australian Primary Health Network.

Abstract

To explore the job satisfaction and turnover intentions of general practice nurses and examine factors that influence job satisfaction and turnover intention. Workforce issues such as satisfaction, retention and turnover intention have been explored in acute care. However, increasingly nurses are being employed outside hospitals. General practice is a significantly different work environment to acute care. Understanding workforce issues in community settings is important for employers, managers and policymakers to sustain and grow this workforce to meet consumer demands. A descriptive survey was conducted within a single Primary Health Network in Australia. Having an identified practice nurse leader/manager, feeling that their training and qualifications are used to the full and not feeling isolated, alone or lacking opportunities for mentoring were all significantly correlated with higher job satisfaction. The lowest average satisfaction scores related to pay. 44.9% of participants were unsure whether they would remain working in general practice. The relationship between total job satisfaction and intention to leave was significant. These findings guide managers in developing strategies to recruit and retain nurses in general practice employment. Managers must consider factors influencing job satisfaction and turnover intention to maximize recruitment and retention of nurses.