Perceptions of job satisfaction in a long term care facility: A comparison between a dedicated Alzbeimer's unit and non-Alzheimer's units

Abstract

The way the caring environment meets the needs of its staff is influential in achieving job satisfaction. Given the current issues in recruitment and retention of nursing staff in long-term care, knowledge of those factors which influence job satisfaction is of great importance. This study examined factors associated with job satisfaction of nursing staff on a Dedicated Alzheimer's Unit, Special Care Units (SCU's) compared to staff on traditional Nursing Home Units, or using the Stamps and Piedmont Index of Work Satisfaction. The factors of pay, autonomy task requirement, organizational policies, interaction and professional status were examined in their relationship to total job satisfaction between the two groups. Professional and paraprofessional nursing staff were surveved. Of a total of 125 surveys, 61 LWS's were analyzed utilizing univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics. Differences in factors influencing satisfaction were also examined among caregivers (i.e. professional vs. nonprofessional staff). Staff working on the Alzheimer's Unit had significantly higher total LWS scores than did staff working on traditional units (p<.001). In particular the factors of professional status, interaction and organizational policies were rated significantly higher by Alzheimer's Unit staff as these influenced job satisfaction. Clearly, the results support further research into factors influencing satisfaction of nursing staff in long term care and serve (is a useful guide for development of programs to recruit and retain nursing staff in nursing home settings. Results also encourage further research into factors which influence successful implementation and management of staff development iln the specialized area of Alzheimer's care.