Predictors of Nurses' Job Satisfaction in Home Care Settings: Findings From the AIDOMUS-IT Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses' job satisfaction in hospitals is fundamental for the quality of care and the safety of patients. However, sociodemographic trends require moving care to patients' homes, and the predictors of job satisfaction for nurses working in the home care settings remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate job satisfaction of nurses working in Italian home care settings and its determinants.

Design: Multicenter observational cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study was conducted in the districts of 70 local health authorities in Italy. Data on the characteristics of the organization and nurses were collected. Nursing job satisfaction was evaluated on a four-point scale ranging from "very satisfied" to "very dissatisfied." Additionally, the following variables were assessed: workload, quality of leadership, work-private life conflict, burnout symptoms, possibility for development, staffing and resource adequacy, nurse manager ability, safety climate, and teamwork climate. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors influencing job satisfaction.

Results: Only organizational variables had a predictive value for nurses' job satisfaction. Workload (OR = 1.01; p = 0.033), work-private life conflict (OR = 1.02; p < 0.001), burnout (OR = 1.02; p < 0.001), and staffing inadequacy (OR = 1.44; p = 0.003) predicted higher levels of nurse dissatisfaction. Instead, high-quality leadership (OR = 0.981; p < 0.001), possibility for development (OR = 0.973; p < 0.001), and good teamwork climate (OR = 0.994; p = 0.003) were predictors of better levels of satisfaction.

Conclusions: This study suggested that home care nurses are generally satisfied with their jobs. To enhance job satisfaction, it is essential to improve nurses' work environment, the leadership quality and ensure professional development.

Clinical relevance: Our results are globally relevant as they contribute to the limited evidence available on this topic in home care settings. This study emphasizes the need of measuring nurses' job satisfaction and implementing interventions to promote healthy work environments.