Abstract
▶ In Part I of this series (March/April 2005), findings from a 2002 and 2004 survey highlighted changes in nurse perceptions of the workforce shortage with respect to its effects on practice, directional trends, causes, and solutions. ▶ In Part II of this series, the authors analyze and compare findings from the 2002 and 2004 surveys with respect to job satisfaction including the quality of professional relationships. ▶ Reports of being "very satisfied" with your job increased significantly from 21% (2002) to 34% (2004) and were predicted by the organization's emphasis on patient care, management recognition for personal lives, satisfaction with salary and benefits, job security, and positive relationship with other nurses and management. ▶ For those reporting decreased satisfaction, burnout, the burden of non-nursing tasks, a higher number of patient care assignments, and a negative view of the health care systems predicted the decline. ▶ Perception of relationships between nurses reported as "very good" or "excellent" increased significantly from 53% (2002) to 72% (2004). Currently, only 57% reported "very good" or "excellent" relationships with LPNs and 43% with support staff. ▶ While the majority of RNs would recommend a career in nursing, fewer than half of RNs agreed that nursing was a good career for individuals seeking respect in their career.