Job satisfaction in nursing: A qualitative inquiry into novice and experienced nurses' perspectives

Aim: To explore factors associated with job satisfaction between novice and experienced nurses. Background: Job satisfaction is crucial for better quality of patient care and nurses' job engagement in clinical setting. However, job dissatisfaction is commonly reported from clinical nurses leading to poorer patient outcomes and high turnover rate. Job satisfaction at different professional stages may have different expectations. Knowledge about factors influencing job satisfaction of junior and senior nurses is inadequate. Design: A phenomenological study was conducted using face-to-face individual interviews. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted and audio-recorded. The Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory was used to understand the phenomena. Purposeful sampling was used to select eligible nurse participants who were working in hospital settings. Results: Eight participants, consisting of four junior and four senior nurses, with clinical experience ranging from 1 to more than 25 years, were selected in this study. Four main themes related to job satisfaction were identified: "supportive working environment," "autonomy in practice," "professional training for competence enhancement," and "heavy workload and insufficient manpower." These themes highlighted the common aspects that contribute to job satisfaction among nurses according to the Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory. Conclusion: The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the factors that influence job satisfaction among both novice and experienced nurses. While four themes highlighting common aspects of their needs have been identified, it is important to acknowledge that novice and experienced nurses may have their own unique perspectives within these aspects. According to Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, job satisfaction factors can be complex and diverse. To enhance job satisfaction among nurses, hospital policymakers and senior management should be attentive to identify factors that have an impact on job satisfaction of nurses at different stages of their clinical experience. Developing a strategic plan to meet the needs of nurses based on their experience levels should take into consideration the disparities in work environment and responsibilities, ultimately job satisfaction can be improved, leading to better overall patient care.