Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction and Its Relationship on Career Development Among Nursing Staff within a Public Hospital in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has a dual health system, namely, the public health sector that includes government health institutions, serving mostly the lower income population and the private health sector that serves those who can afford care from their own income. The public sector is responsible for 82 percent of the population and only accounts for 40 percent of the government health expenditure. The private sector accounts for less than 20 percent of the population, it consumes 60 percent of the health expenditure.The purpose of this study was to evaluate job satisfaction levels among nursing staff within a public hospital in Southern Gauteng. A quantitative research method was utilised and a questionnaire was distributed to collect data from nursing staff (n = 259) within a public hospital in Southern Gauteng. The factor analysis procedure resulted in three factors that were pertinent to nurses’ job satisfaction, namely policy and supportive environment, job outcomes and benefits and rewards. The regression analysis showed that benefits and rewards are key predictors of career development among the nurses. Planning and development interventions are essential in these areas of the nurse’s workplace so that the levels of job satisfaction among nursing staff within the public hospital can be enhanced. The study adds value to the hospital as a benchmark since it is the first study of this nature to be conducted at the institution.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n13p79