Factors Associated With Work Satisfaction of Registered Nurses - Assignment Example

? Research Article Critique: “Factors Associated With Work Satisfaction of Registered Nurses” Katy Mooney NURS 502: Nursing Theory and Advanced Practice Liberty University Online Dr. Susan Salladay February 13, 2012 Part I: Comprehension. Introduction The research paper by the authors justify the title of the article “Factors Associated With Work Satisfaction of Registered Nurses” as the article successfully identifies and brings out the major factors (both old and new) affect the satisfaction of RNs. Analyzing the qualifications of the authors one can clearly understand that they are competent enough to conduct such an original study. While Kovner, Brewer, and Yow-Wu Wu are eminent professors and possess doctorates in nursing both Cheng and Suzuki are studious doctoral candidates in nursing. The abstract of the article provides a concise summary of the aims, research design, methods, samplings, and findings of the study. The authors, in the abstract, makes it clear that the aims of the study is “to examine the factors that influence the work satisfaction of a national sample of registered nurses in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)” and ‘ a cross-sectional mailed survey design’ was employed for the research. Problem/Purpose The authors have pinpointed the purpose of the study at the very outset of the paper. The current study seeks to “examine the factors that influence the work satisfaction of a national sample of registered nurses in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)” and the authors have succeeded in offering adequate background information of the issue. The background information that has led to the current study includes the findings of previous literature that identified work satisfaction as a determining factor for the nursing shortage faced by the nation. Similarly, the authors have refereed many previous research findings that emphasized the role of employee satisfaction in nursing career. However, the researchers identify that most of these studies were not based on any specific theoretical framework. Similarly, the fact that the demographic characteristics of these studies varied (many of the studies focused on nurses in general) and that many of these studies brought out quiet contradictory findings on many factors (for instance, the relationship between distributive justice and work satisfaction) has contributed to the significance of this paper. Literature Review The authors have taken special efforts to document the most recent studies in the literature review. The literature review consists of recent references. As the article was published in 2006, it can be observed that of the 49 sources used in the article 42 belong to the last 10 years (from 1996-2006) whereas 19 of them are from the last five years (from 2001-2005). Certain contradictions in the findings of the literature such as the relationship between distributive justice and work satisfaction have also been pointed out. However, the researchers have failed to provide a detailed description of the previous studies. Even though the researchers have referenced the major findings conducted by the previous researchers in the literature review, details such as the research designs, methods, and samplings have not been included in the literature review. A considerable number of authors have been cited in the literature; however, the readers fail to grasp the nature and depth of the researches undertaken by them. However, it can be seen that the researchers have concisely summarized their review of the literature to reveal what is known and what is unknown regarding RNs’ work satisfaction. The lack of theoretical framework and differences in demographic characteristics has also been taken into account. Framework/Theoretical Perspective Critically analyzing the article it can be observed that no framework (theoretical model or theory) is explicitly expressed by the researchers in the introduction or the literature review. However, the authors make it clear that their research is based on a theoretical framework just as the one proposed by Gurney et al- an integrated theoretical model of work satisfaction and voluntary turnover which combines ‘economic, psychological, and sociological theories with empirical findings about the determinants of turnover.’As pointed out by Burns & Grove (2009) each research is to be “the diligent, systematic inquiry, or investigation to validate and refine existing knowledge and generate new Knowledge” (p.2) and this calls for certain theoretical perspective from the part of the researchers. List the Research Question(s) or Hypotheses One cannot find any specific research questions as such in the paper as the authors have not listed the research questions directly. However, the list of research hypotheses is evident in the article. The primary hypothesis is that there exist a number of factors that affect the work satisfaction of registered nurses either favorably or adversely. Similarly, lack of work satisfaction among RNs can lead to nursing shortages, decrease in RN turnover and can result in willful absenteeism which would adversely affect the whole health care system of the nation. The research also seeks to find an answer to the contradictory findings that could be seen in previous studies. Identify and Define Variables One can identify both dependant and independent variables employed in the research. The researchers have made use of four types of variables in their study. The first of these four variables is ‘RN demographic characteristics and health’ which can be measured. These include such measurable variables as “age, sex, ethnicity, race, marital status, highest degree in nursing, living with children, years of experience in nursing, advanced certification, partner's income, overall health status, current enrollment in an educational program, and religious beliefs.” The second variable used in the study is the MSA characteristics which can also be categorized as another dependable variable. The third type of variable used for the research was ‘RN perceptions of the labor market that represented movement constraints’ which belong to the category of independent variable as they can be varied and manipulated by the researchers. Similarly, the fourth variable is also an independent variable as one cannot measure the work setting and work attitudes of the RNs. The researchers have gained insight regarding these independent variables by administering a mailed questionnaire based on a seven-stage procedure on the participant RNs. Table 1 of the report demonstrates a clear understanding of these two types of variables included in the current paper. Demographics of Sample The demographics of sample included of RNs in 40 selected MSAs. First, 4,000 RNs were randomly selected; however, completed questionnaire was obtained from 1,906 of the 4,000 sampled RN s only. However, 45 respondents had to be eliminated from the analytic sample as they moved from the MSAs and another 324 were also excluded as they were not employed in nursing. Thus, the final sample of the study consisted of 1,538 nurses who were working in various MSAs. The demographics of sample shows that most of the “working RNs were primarily women, White, married, and only 14.2% had children under 6 years old living with them.” While “19.1% had more than one position for pay, 61% worked in hospitals, and a similar percentage were in direct care positions;” the mean age of RNs 46.4, their average years of experience 18.8 and their average annual income $49,940. Research Design The research design for the study consisted of a cross-sectional mailed survey among registered nurses who were randomly selected from 40 MSAs in 29 states. The questionnaire consisted of questions that measured work attitudes and demographic characteristics of the selected sample. Once the preliminary sample of 4,000 RNs was selected, “each nurse was sent a mailed questionnaire based on a seven-stage procedure reported by Dillman (2000), including: (a) an alert letter, (b) the first survey, (c) a postcard reminder, (d) a second survey, (e) a third survey, (f) a follow-up phone call, and (g) a fourth survey.” Incentives were also offered to the participants. It can be seen that the researchers did not conduct a pilot study before the actual research. In fact, the current study can be employed as a pilot study for a more detailed and in-depth future research in this regard. Sample/Setting Participants had to meet certain sampling or the inclusion criteria for the research. They had to be registered nurses first of all. Secondly, only those RNs who were employed in MSAs were included in the chosen sample. Thirdly, they had to respond positively to the seven-stage procedure of the survey that included an alert letter, a preliminary survey, a postcard reminder, a second survey, a third survey, a follow-up phone call, and a fourth survey. The sampling method used by the researchers was random method of selection among RNs in Various MSAs. The questionnaire was mailed to all the 4,000 sampled RNs. However, the completed responses were obtained from only 1,906 of them. It was measured that the “overall response rate was 48% and ranged across the 40 MSAs from 30% to 51%.” Similarly, those respondents who failed to meet the selection criteria were eliminated from the study (45 were eliminated as they moved away from MSAs while 324 were eliminated as they were not working as nurses). The alert letter and the incentive system ensured the consent of the participants and it can be seen that the setting of the sample was conducive enough to bring out desirable responses from the final 1,538 participants. Measurement, Methods & Instruments Analyzing the measurement, methods and instruments in the research paper one can identify that the authors have not employed any original measurement tools or instruments. The authors have used scales used in previous researches to measure the work attitudes of the participants. The satisfaction of RNs is measured with the use of the five-item Quinn and Staines's facet-free job satisfaction scale by slightly altering the response items. The authors have taken special efforts to prove the reliability of Quinn and Staines's scale by pointing out various evidences. Similarly, measurements such as the Cronbach alpha coefficient, Likert-type scales, mean, standard deviation, actual range, and reliability coefficient are also used in the paper. The researchers have also resorted to Ordinary Least Squares Regression Analysis in the paper. Data Collection As already mentioned, the data for the paper has been collected through a cross-sectional mailed survey among registered nurses who were randomly selected from 40 MSAs in 29 states. The participants were offered a mailed questionnaire based on a seven-stage procedure which included an alert letter, the first survey, a postcard reminder, a second survey, a third survey, a follow-up phone call, and a fourth survey. The survey brought out four types of variables (both dependant and independent) that included RN demographic characteristics and health, MSA characteristics, RN perceptions of the labor market and work setting or work attitudes of the RNs. The dependant variables were measured using the statistical tool mentioned above and the independent variables are appropriately coded in the paper. Statistical Analyses As has already been pointed out, the statistical measures used to analyses the data collected included the five-item Quinn and Staines's facet-free job satisfaction scale (with slight alteration on the response items), mean deviation, standard deviation, actual range, and reliability coefficient and Ordinary Least Squares Regression Analysis. While the satisfaction range of the RNs were measured using the five-item Quinn and Staines's facet-free job satisfaction scale, means and standard deviations were employed to measure Demographic Variables and Metropolitan Statistical Area Characteristics, whereas Ordinary Least Squares Regression Analysis was employed to identify significant determinants of job satisfaction. Similarly, the level of significance or alpha of the research has also been identified by the researchers. The Cronbach alpha coefficient is identified as .86 which shows a higher range of correlation between the variables. Implication of Findings The findings of the study have great implications to the field of nursing as it challenges some of the popular misconceptions regarding work satisfaction of the sources. The research aslso tries to offer explanations to some of the contradictory research findings in the past. One of the important findings of the study was that compensation or wages were not related to satisfaction whereas fairness of pay based on distributive justice affects one’s work satisfaction. This has got greater implications to nursing as mangers or employers have always related work satisfaction to compensation. Another contrary research finding of the study was that employee quantitative workload was not related to satisfaction in the case of registered nurses. Here also lack of justice (distributive justice) could be a potential factor that can hinder one’s satisfaction. These findings have immense implications to the current nursing scenario and these point to the need for further researches in this regard. However, employers need to keep in mind that flexibility in work schedules is more likely to enhance nurses’ work satisfaction, as implied by the research findings of the study. The study also exhorts employers to make the work environment more family friendly. The study has also pointed out that “Non-Hispanic Black RNs were less satisfied than were non-Hispanic White RNs” which call for the need to have further researches as well. Another major implication of the study is that the organizational management can bring about greater changes to the level of work satisfaction of nurses as they are directly in control of certain factors. Apart from the necessary changes in governmental policies, “organizational characteristics such as paid time off, autonomy, variety, distributive justice, supervisory support, promotional opportunity, and organizational constraints are factors over which organizations have a great deal of control.” Limitations However, the research suffers from a number of limitations as well. Some of the research limitations are mentioned by the researchers themselves. The researchers admit that some variables associated with work satisfaction (for instance, communication with physicians) have not been included in the study which should be included in future research. Similarly, the current study focuses only on individuals and not on organizations. As such the study has not taken into account such factors as organizational size or dynamics of the work setting. Apart from these, the results of the study cannot be applied to a larger population of RNs in MSAs as the sample population is not large enough to represent the whole group. Similarly, the research findings of the study can vary by subgroups in various regions. As such, many of the contradictory research findings of the study need to be verified with further competent researches. The study has also failed to elaborate the relationship between employee turnover and work satisfaction adequately. The study has also failed to suggest potential solutions to the major factors identified by the current research. Generalization of Findings It can be found that the authors make no tall claims to generalize their research findings. However, as the research has employed a national random cross-sectional survey model the research outcomes can be applied to the larger group of RNs in MSAs as well. However, the authors have made3 it clear that the present study differs from most of the previous studies that foucssed on staff nurses in hospitals alone. The authors also claim that they have explained ‘54% of the variance in RN satisfaction’ in their research. They also hold that they have analyzed certain variables that have not been analyzed in other studies as well. As such, some of the findings of the study also vary from previously published researches. Suggestions for Further Study The authors are quite aware that their research sample is so small to represent the whole of RNs in MSAs. As such, they have recommended further researches “with large enough sample sizes to assess whether factors associated with satisfaction vary by subgroup such as new graduates in the 1st year of practice.” Similarly, some of the contradictory research findings of the study (such as factors like compensation, wages, and workload not affecting satisfaction) also call for the need to have further researches. Format The format of the paper goes in tune with APA citation and referencing. The paper is so thoroughly proofread that one cannot find any apparent any spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. The paper is well-organized, clear and follows simple sentence structures (simple sentences are widely used all throughout the paper). Part II. Comparison and Analysis Design As already mentioned in the first part, the study has made use of a national cross-sectional mailed survey among registered nurses who were randomly selected from 40 MSAs in 29 states. The questionnaire consisted of a seven-stage procedure which took into accounts the work attitudes and demographic characteristics of the selected sample as well. Critically analyzing the design, it sounds to be quite appropriate to obtain data from the selected sample. As the registered nurses are scattered over in various MSAs no other research design could be effective to elicit responses from the participants quite easily. However, a clear understanding of the research variables and the research questions would prompt one to resort to personal interviews with the participants for more authenticity. It is a fact that variables such as work attitudes cannot be completely understood through a mailed survey. However, it can be stated that the research design employed in the study is competent enough to elicit responses from the selected participants. Data Analysis A close analysis of the article convinces one that data analysis procedures used in the study are quite appropriate for the type of data collected. As already mentioned, the survey brought out both dependant and independent variables such as RN demographic characteristics and health, MSA characteristics, RN perceptions of the labor market and work attitudes of the RNs and therefore the researchers had to employ data analysis procedures such as the five-item Quinn and Staines's facet-free job satisfaction scale (with slight alteration on the response items), mean deviation, standard deviation, actual range, and reliability coefficient and Ordinary Least Squares Regression Analysis. The researchers have effectively used the five-item Quinn and Staines's facet-free job satisfaction scale to measure the satisfaction range of the RNs, means and standard deviations to measure demographic variables and Metropolitan Statistical Area Characteristics, and Ordinary Least Squares Regression Analysis to identify significant determinants of job satisfaction. However, the analysis procedures are not clearly described in the paper and it would be difficult for a reader with no understanding of these tools to completely understand the research paper. Overall Evaluation Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the study, it can be stated that the research paper offers certain fresh insights into many factors that affect the work satisfaction of registered nurses in various MSAs. The paper not only confirms many of the previous research findings but it also challenges or contradicts previous research outcomes as well. The paper has made a concise literature review of the previous studies and the major research findings of such studies are outlined in the paper. The literature review consists of recent references and certain contradictions in the findings of the literature such as the relationship between distributive justice and work satisfaction have also been pointed out. However, the research questions are not clearly listed in the paper and the small size of the selected sample has made the findings of the study less universalized and authentic. It can also be observed that the various steps of the research process in the paper are logically linked together. The aims and objectives of the study are clearly outlined at the very outset of the paper. The research hypotheses and literature review follows. The methodology, data collection, data analysis, discussion, findings and occlusions all flow in a logical order. The paper makes use of both qualitative and quantitative research approach and a national cross-sectional mailed survey among registered nurses is employed as the research design. The statistical tools and data analysis procedures are competent enough to analysis the data collected. The findings of the study have great relevance in the current nursing scenario where nursing shortage and imbalances in nursing turnover prevails in MSAs. There is no doubt that the research outcomes of the study is quite applicable in current nursing practice and would contribute to nursing knowledge. The current study has challenged certain popular conceptions and previous research outcomes on nursing as well. For instance, compensation or wages and workload have always been viewed as potential factors that would adversely affect the work satisfaction of nurses. However, the present study has revealed that these factors do not affect the work satisfaction of nurses whereas lack of justice (distributive justice) in these areas could be a potential factor that can hinder one’s satisfaction. Similarly, the research also has emphasized on such factors as flexibility in work schedules and more conducive family friendly work environment in the workplace. The research has also pinpointed certain factors that the organizational management can find solutions to-factors such “paid time off, autonomy, variety, distributive justice, supervisory support, promotional opportunity, and organizational constraints.” An overall evaluation of the research article necessitates an understanding of the limitations of the study as well. As admitted by the researchers there are many factors associated with work satisfaction that have not been included in the study. The study does not focus on organizations or work setting. Similarly, the sample population for the research is so small that the findings of the study cannot be applied to a larger population even though random cross-sectional design is employed. It is possible that the research findings of the study can vary in various subgroups of RNs in MSAs. As such, many of the contradictory research findings of the study ((such as factors like compensation, wages, and workload not affecting satisfaction) need to be verified with further competent researches. The paper does not throw light any possible recommendations or solutions to the factors identified. However, the study assumes greater significance when dealing with the factors that affect the work satisfaction of registered nurses especially in MSAs. References Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2009). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and generation of evidence (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders. Kovner, C., Brewer, C., Wu, Y., Cheng, Y & Suzuki, M. (2006). Factors Associated With Work Satisfaction of Registered Nurses, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 38(1), 71–79. Read More