JOB SATISFACTION AMONG NURSES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is an important factor for retention of health workers within organization. Multiple factors have influenced the job satisfaction among nurses working in the public sector hospitals of Pakistan. This study was conducted to quantify and compare the levels of job satisfaction among nurses of tertiary care public and private hospitals.
METHODS: A cross sectional comparative study was conducted in one Public and one Private hospital in Rawalpindi and Islamabad over the period of 6 months. The study included all nurses registered with Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC). Sampling was done by first acquiring the list of all the hospitals from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, 2 hospitals were then selected. Afterwards, the list of all the registered nurses was taken; sample size was determined by applying inclusion / exclusion criteria and by simple random technique by computer generated method. Data was analyzed by using SSS.
RESULTS: Results showed that working conditions were more comfortable and working relations with male coworkers were friendlier in private hospital as compared to public hospitals. Satisfaction with the competence of senior nurses, and administrative support in service problems was also more in private hospital. Majority of public hospital nurses were satisfied with their profession because of manageable duty hours, pay and other benefits provided and administrative support in their domestic problems. On the other hand private hospital nurses were more satisfied with positive feedback of their performance, professional growth, and promotion system.
CONCLUSION: There is a dire need to improve the conditions regarding working schedule, working environment and management support of nursing staff of hospitals in Pakistan.