Job satisfaction of nurses in Ministry of Health Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To examine the magnitude and determinants of job satisfaction in nurses working in Ministry of Health hospitals Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A modified version of the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire is used to survey 500 nurses in 9 Ministry of Health hospitals in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Three hundred and sixty six nurses from different nationalities responded to the questionnaire (response rate 73%). Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, t-tests, one way-analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and regression analysis.

RESULTS: Overall job satisfaction was found to be moderate. The most important determinants of job satisfaction are: Recognition, technical aspects of supervision, work conditions, utilization of skills, pay, and job advancement. No differences were found in overall job satisfaction according to gender, age, income, nationality, or marital status. Differences were found according to educational level. Also, job satisfaction is positively correlated with years of experience.

CONCLUSION: The study has important implications for the way that Ministry of Health hospitals are managed and for its policies regarding several aspects of human resources including efficient and effective use of nursing manpower.