Evaluation of the relationship between job satisfaction and professional behaviors in pediatric nurses

Introduction and aim. Pediatric nurses play an important role in ensuring quality healthcare through job satisfaction and professional behaviors. This study aims to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and professional behaviors in pediatric nurses. Material and methods. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study.The sample of the study consisted of 244 pediatric nurses who worked in tertiary university hospitals in Turkey and agreed to participate in the study. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews using a personal information form, the job satisfaction scale for nurses (JSSN), and the behavioral inventory form for professionalism in nursing (BIPN). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 software and evaluated using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression analysis. Results. The nurses’ JSSN and BIPN means scores were 3.42±0.59 and 5.69±4.05, respectively. A statistically significant moderate positive relationship was found between the pediatric nurses’ professional behaviors and job satisfaction (R=0.342; p<0.001). The regression analysis revealed that professional behaviors significantly and positively influenced job satisfaction in pediatric nurses (β=0.050; p<0.001). Conclusion. This study found that pediatric nurses had a moderate level of job satisfaction and a low level of professional behaviors, and as their professional behavior increased, their job satisfaction also increased.