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| Author | Maria Schembri |
| Abstract | This descriptive, exploratory study was conducted in the A & E (Accident and Emergency) department of a large general hospital in Malta, to investigate A & E nurses' job satisfaction both globally and with various job facets. Additionally it sought to understand the perceived influence of job stress on satisfaction, and to identify changes which A & E nurses feel would increase their job satisfaction. Data from the total population (N = 25) of nurses working full-time and on a shift basis in the department, was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Twenty-four questionnaires were returned rendering a response rate of 96%. The findings indicate that A &E nurses are satisfied with their job as a whole. Varying degrees of satisfaction were expressed with different job facets. Nurses were mostly satisfied with colleagues (both nursing and medical), their immediate supervisor, and remuneration. Conversely, dissatisfaction with flexibility in scheduling weekends and working hours, and the working hours themselves, was rife. Although similar results were obtained in previous studies on Maltese nurses, issues directly related to emergency nursing also emerged. The most frequently cited sources of satisfaction in open questions were related to patient care and knowledge and skills issues. Meanwhile, interpersonal relationships were the most frequently cited sources of dissatisfaction. Moreover, several sources of dissatisfaction were repeatedly described as being highly stressful, particularly long working hours, thus highlighting the influence of occupational stress on job satisfaction. Implications for management largely reflect suggestions made by the respondents themselves, in conjunction with regard for those areas causing most dissatisfaction and stress within the A and E nursing population. These include a need for flexible scheduling, an increase in the manpower of the department, instigation of debriefment sessions and more opportunities for nurses to participate in departmental decision-making. Besides research to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed recommendations in increasing job satisfaction, further qualitative research using an interview technique is recommended, in view of the conflicting findings obtained from open and closed questions, in order to gain a better understanding of the situation. |
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| Key words | Job Satisfaction, Nurses, A&E, Thesis |