The relationship between job satisfaction of registered nurses and patient satisfaction with nursing care in acute care hospitals

Research has shown that patient satisfaction with nursing care is a significant predictor of their overall hospital satisfaction. Furthermore, both patient satisfaction and registered nurse (RN) job satisfaction are associated with good nursing care. Yet, the link between patient satisfaction and job satisfaction has rarely been explored, despite a wealth of literature among other service organizations. This study examined the relationship between RN job satisfaction and patient satisfaction in acute care hospitals. The study used data from 95 units located within 21 hospitals obtained from Press, Ganey Associates, Inc. which included measures of RN job satisfaction and patient satisfaction for each unit. Correlational and multilevel regression models were used to examine the relationship between RN job satisfaction, nurse autonomy, interpersonal communication/collaboration, patient satisfaction with nursing care, and overall patient satisfaction. RN job satisfaction had a significant effect on patient satisfaction with nursing care (t = 2.14, p = 0.03) and overall patient satisfaction (t = 2.17, p = 0.034). In addition, patient satisfaction with nursing care had a significant effect on RN job satisfaction (t = 2.28, p = 0.024). Nurse autonomy had a significant effect on both patient satisfaction with nursing care (t = 2.36, p = 0.02) and overall patient satisfaction (t = 2.06, p = 0.043). Interpersonal communication/collaboration was not found to be correlated with patient satisfaction. The overall findings from the research demonstrate that RN job satisfaction has a significant effect on both patient satisfaction with nursing care and overall patient satisfaction and that patient satisfaction with nursing care has a significant effect on RN job satisfaction. Additionally, RN autonomy was found to have a significant effect on both patient satisfaction with nursing care and overall patient satisfaction. This study will contribute to a small but important body of knowledge regarding the relationship between RN job satisfaction and patient satisfaction. The outcome of the study will have implications for hospital executives as they develop strategies to improve patient outcomes, with patient satisfaction as the measure of achievement