Comparison of Job Performance and Job Satisfaction of Nurse Assistants in General Hospitals and Long-Term Care Hospitals

The purpose of this study is to compare job performance and job satisfaction of nurse assistants in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The sample consisted of 179 nursing assistants, who were working in 5 general hospitals and 5 long-term care hospitals, located in Gwangju city and the Chonnam area. Data were collected by structured questionnaires, from July to August, 2011, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fisher Exact test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA, using a SPSS/Win 17.0 program. There was no significant difference in job satisfaction between general hospital and long-term care hospital nurse assistants. Significant differences in job satisfaction of nurse assistants in general hospitals were observed according to age, marital status, education level, Duration of working as a nurse assistant, and turnover intention. There were si gnificant differences in job satisfaction of nurse assistants in long-term care hospitals according to age, gender, education level, and turnover intention. Nurse assistants in long-term care hospitals seem to conduct the work of nurses. However, in order to improve the quality of nursing care, the work of nurse assistants needs to be distinguished from that of nurses. Programs need to be developed that will help to improve job satisfaction among nurse assistants.