Factors affecting job satisfaction of advanced practice registered nurses in Korea

Background & Aim: The activities of advanced practice registered nurses in Korea have expanded, but studies on their job satisfaction are lacking. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing job satisfaction among Korean advanced practice registered nurses. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 142 APRNs selected from three tertiary hospitals in Korea from December 2020 to January 2021. Job satisfaction and the factors influencing it were investigated using structured questionnaires; factors affecting job satisfaction were identified by multiple regression analysis. Data analysis was processed using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: Advanced practice registered nurses’ sex (β=.15, p=0.004), satisfaction with workload (β=.24, p<0.001), professional visibility (β=. 21, p=0.004) and APRN-physician relations in the work environment (β=.38, p<0.001), and clinical decision-making ability (β=.17, p=0.004) were identified as the factors influencing job satisfaction, which together explained 67% of the variance in job satisfaction. Conclusion: To increase advanced practice registered nurses' job satisfaction, nurse managers must consider strategies for providing administrative and educational support for workload control, recognition of professional identity and autonomy, and improving the work environment to encourage efficient interaction with physicians and improved clinical decision-making ability.