Work Stress and Job Satisfaction among Nursing Staff in Public Hospitals in Nigeria

Abstract

Stress is an everyday reality regardless of occupation or profession. In the past decades, work-related stress has become a major source of health-related issues among workers in organizations around the globe. Numerous research studies have examined this biological phenomenon given its negative consequences on employees' wellbeing, and threat to organizational survival and competitiveness. Job satisfaction is a key work attitude that is highly desirable in the workplace if organizational goals and objectives are to be achieved. This study investigated the relationship between work stress and job satisfaction among nursing staff in selected public hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The dimensions of work stress examined include role ambiguity, role conflict, job overload, poor social support, and poor work environment. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. Three hundred and five (n=305) nurses in public hospitals in Benin City were selected for the study. Data generated for the study were analyzed with ordinary least squares regression techniques. The results indicated that except for role ambiguity, other work stressors investigated, which are role conflict, job overload, poor social support, and poor work environment, had a significant and negative relationship with job satisfaction of nurses. It was recommended that more nurses should be employed in public hospitals in Nigeria, and that management of public hospitals in Nigeria should ensure that the physical work environment is conducive for nurses to perform their job tasks and responsibilities.