Job satisfaction in nursing homes

The recruitment, hiring, and retention of registered nurses (RNs) is of critical concern for nursing home administrators. Many times, nursing homes unsuccessfully compete with hospitals and staff relief agencies for available RNs (Braddy, Washburn, & Carroll, 1991). Understanding the factors that influence nurses to seek a particular employer is significant in recruitment and hiring. Factors related to nursing decisions to choose employment in nursing homes were identified in this descriptive study.Price and Mueller's (1981) Causal Model for Turnover (CMT) provided a conceptual framework for the study. The investigator used a revised form of an instrument developed by Price and Mueller for a 1981 study of hospital turnover. The instrument contained 67 items presented in a combination of 59 multiple choice items and 8 five-point Likert-type items. The reliability for each of the seven subscales was equal to or greater than .70.A sample of 300 full-time RNs with tenure of at least 6 months employment with a large for profit corporation was selected for this study. Questionnaires were mailed to participants with a letter of introduction from the investigator and the divisional vice president of the corporation. Subjects were provided with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be used to return completed questionnaires. A follow-up call was done one week after the mailing requesting return of all completed questionnaires.There were no risks or ill effects from participating in this study. Respondents were free to ask any questions during the study. The agency and respondents were not identified in the sampling and the results of the study. Completion of the questionnaire was interpreted as the respondent's agreement to participate in the study.Results should help administrators understand the factors that influence registered nurses to seek employment in nursing homes. The results of the study should be utilized in reviewing current recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies.School of NursingThesis (M.S.