Job satisfaction, burnout and stress amongst nursing staff: A survey in two hospitals in Rome

The job satisfaction and psychological well-being of health care workers may significantly influence the quality of care they provide. The aim of this study was to assess burnout and psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as evaluate job satisfaction among nurses working at the IDI-Sanità in Rome. Nurses (n = 545) were invited to answer an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a validated questionnaire to examine job satisfaction. Descriptive analyses and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. The section designed to evaluate job satisfaction was specifically examined by means of principal component factor analysis. Two hundred and forty-two nurses answered the questionnaire (response rate: 44%). Emotional exhaustion was observed in 38% of respondents. No significant difference was detected between mean values (± standard deviation) at each of the three MBI subscales and Italian normative data. About 33% of respondents showed a GHQ-12 score typical for disorders such as anxiety or depression. High levels of job satisfaction were found to be associated to a lower likelihood both of emotional exhaustion at MBI and psychiatric morbidity at GHQ-12. Factor analysis on items investigating job satisfaction identified 4 factors that globally accounted for 61% of the total variance. The factors obtained could represent possible targets for action aimed at improving nurse satisfaction. © PI-ME. 2006.