Staff Nurse Perceptions of Nurse Manager Behaviors that Influence Job Satisfaction

Abstract

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a shortage of registered nurses (RNs) growing to an estimated 581,500 by the year 2025 (an increase of 22 percent since 2008). Recent economical downturns have found many healthcare organizations experiencing a positive effect with the stabilization of nursing turnover. Once the economy begins to recover, however, experts predict the profession of nursing will still face the largest shortage in history according to projections by the American Nurses Association. Because lack of job satisfaction is a precursor to resignation, additional research regarding the identification of interventions that increase RN job satisfaction may result in retaining professionally qualified and prepared staff. This study proposed to identify through focus groups, staff nurse perceptions of nurse manager behaviors that influence RN staff nurse job satisfaction. A sample of 28 RNs, each participating in one of five focus groups, answered questions related to satisfaction with nurse manager behaviors. The investigator used qualitative content analysis to identify patterns within and across focus group data. Major findings of the study resulted in the identification of two conceptual categories (manager behaviors supportive of RNs and RN’s perceived disconnect of work issues from the manager’s role) and three major themes related to supportive behaviors (communication, respect, and feeling cared for). The results suggest the following as staff nurse preferences for nurse manager behaviors: open and honest communication that involves listening, consistency, and confidentiality; an increased level of respect including fairness and recognition of a job well done; and the sense of feeling cared for as when a manager meets individual needs and supports staff as professionals. The investigator compared the categories and themes to previous tools used in healthcare, which indicate the need for further item and/or tool development as well as further research regarding RNs’ perceived disconnect of work issues from the manager’s role.