Socio-Economic Factors and Job Satisfaction among Public Health Care Registered Nurses in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

The objective of this study is to measure the level of job satisfaction among selected registered nurses currently practicing within the public health service in Trinidad and Tobago. Extending Herzberg’s dual theory of job satisfaction, the study embraced a multi-dimensional measure of job satisfaction that included examinations of pay, autonomy, task requirements, organizational policies, interaction and professional status. The study also assessed the effects of various socio-demographic factors (namely: age, sex, education, and years of experience) on various dimensions of job satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional survey, we systematically selected and solicited the participation of 83 nurses within four randomly selected public hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago. Overall, findings revealed that levels of job satisfaction were generally low (42%) and even lower with nurse-nurse interaction (35%), professional status (23%), organizational policies (15%) and autonomy (1%) and for male nurses on all dimensions. Implications for further research and policy interventions are also discussed.