Type of Document	Thesis
Author	May, Alison
URN	etd-04142008-143135
Title	A Study of Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction in Florida
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Nursing, School of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title James Whyte Committee Chair Sally Karioth Committee Member Susan Porterfield Committee Member
Keywords	Extrinsic Factors Intrinsic Factors Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction
Date of Defense	2008-03-31
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The current shortage of staff nurses calls for studies that explore factors that lead to nurse retention. The purpose of this study was to employ survey research techniques to measure job satisfaction in a random statewide sample of Florida Nurse Practitioners. This study was a replication of Kacel, Miller, and Norris’s (2005) study, “Measurement of nurse practitioner job satisfaction in a Midwestern state”. The primary measure in the study was the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale. This survey instrument evaluated the amount of satisfaction derived from various factors of nurse practitioner work in the form of numerical answers on a Likert-type scale. Results from this scale were tallied in order to make a statement about the overall level of job satisfaction experienced by nurse practitioners in Florida. Additionally, the mean scores for each factor were examined in order to identify the most satisfying and dissatisfying aspects of the work. A demographic questionnaire was also completed by each participant. Of the 501 nurse practitioners asked to participate in the study by mailed request, 220 surveys were returned with 146 meeting inclusion criteria. The average total score for these surveys was approximately 202.51 out of a possible 264. This correlates to a job satisfaction rating of “minimally satisfied” to “satisfied.” Additionally, the data indicate that nurse practitioners in Florida are most satisfied with intrinsic aspects of work and least satisfied with extrinsic factors of work. Finally, the results revealed a lack of statistical significance indicating that total job satisfaction is affected by variations in demographics. However, there is some indication that nurse practitioners working in private practice experience a different level of job satisfaction relating specifically to intrapractice partnership and collegiality than those working in the hospital. Results from this study indicate that, while nurse practitioners in Florida express at least a minimal level of general job satisfaction, there are numerous aspects of work causing dissatisfaction. Because job dissatisfaction may affect employee retention, these findings merit further investigation into the concerns of nurse practitioners across the United States. Additional studies in other states and regions might increase the generalizability of findings and increase awareness concerning factors of work that nurse practitioners find dissatisfying such that future improvements may be made for these professionals.
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