WORK SATISFACTION OF NEWLY HIRED NURSING WORKERS IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL

Abstract

4 ABSTRACT This was a descriptive and exploratory study, with a quantitative approach, performed from May to June of 2011 that aimed to verify the work satisfaction of nursing workers newly hired in a public hospital. A total of 133 professionals were submitted to the Index of Work Satisfaction questionnaire. Most were females, married, and 36.6 years old in average. The results highlight that according to nurses, autonomy is the most important factor for work satisfaction, whereas, for nurse technicians, it is the remuneration factor. Both categories agreed that professional status is the least important factor for work satisfaction. Nurses considered remuneration as a satisfying factor, whereas nurse technicians considered job requirements. Interaction was pointed as a criterion with the least perceived satisfaction by both categories. We conclude that freedom in decision- making, development of actions, and financial reward was important for work satisfaction. However, lack of professional social recognition and difficulties in interpersonal relationships lead to dissatisfaction.