Assessing the Impact of Community Factors on Acute Care Nurses’ Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention

Abstract

Background

Community factors may affect nurses’ job behavior and decision making. There is a gap in the literature regarding the impact of community satisfaction, family ties, and community preferences on acute care nurses’ turnover intention and job satisfaction. Furthermore, no studies have examined the differences in community satisfaction, community preferences, and family ties among nurses working in rural and urban settings.

Purpose

To identify the impact of family ties, community satisfaction, and community preferences on turnover intention and job satisfaction among acute care nurses working in Ontario's urban and rural areas.

Methods

Descriptive correlational survey design was used in this study. A targeted stratified sampling technique was used to recruit acute care nurses working in Ontario's urban and rural areas (N = 349) between May 2019 and July 2019. Dillman's approach was used to guide data collection. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for data analysis.

Results

A significant association was found between working settings and community preferences. A statistically significant positive relationship between community satisfaction and nurses’ job satisfaction was identified. Furthermore, community satisfaction had a negative impact on turnover intention. Neither community preference nor family ties were significantly associated with turnover intention or job satisfaction.

Conclusion

The study suggests that community satisfaction can influence important nurse work-related outcomes. Future studies should replicate and validate these results in different contexts and cultures. Retaining nurses may be difficult if they are not satisfied with their communities.