Work Environment and Job Satisfaction among Nurses in an Urban Maternity Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Background: A conducive and quality work environment has been cited as the most important influence of job satisfaction among nurses. Work environment should be of optimal quality to allow nurses carry out their duties effectively. Lack of secure, attractive and adequate work environment leads to poor quality of nursing care which in turn will increase the mortality and morbidity and eventually poor economic status of a country. For nurses to effectively care for patients, they should be satisfied with their job environment. This goes a long way in ensuring positive patient’s outcome. Objective: This study sought to establish the relationship between work environment and job satisfaction among the nurses. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted at Pumwani Maternity Hospital located in Nairobi County. 114 nurses were sampled with a response rate of 95%. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Ethical approval was sort from University of Eastern Africa, Baraton Ethics Review Board. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Chi-square test was used to determine significance of relationships between nominal variables. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. A higher proportion of 67% (n=77) expressed dissatisfaction with their job. Results: A stimulating intellectual environment (χ =10.81df=2, p=0.029), an autonomous environment that allows nurses to make decisions (χ2 =13.70, df=2, p=0.018) and that which gives nurses an opportunity to use their full range of nursing skills (χ2 =15.58, df=2, p=0.004) was statistically significant. Conclusion: A satisfying work environment for nurses therefore allows them to practice nursing skills, make autonomous nursing care decisions and should promote high nursing/clinical competence on their professional lives.