Hygeia Public Health 2017, 52(3): 249-254pl

Assessment of satisfaction of nurses working in Poland and Norway

Jolanta Pawlik ^1,2/, Daria Schneider-Matyka ^3/, Anna Jurczak ^3/, Małgorzata Szkup ^3/, Elżbieta Grochans ^3/

1/ Studenckie Koło Naukowe przy Zakładzie Pielęgniarstwa, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
2/ Institut für Nephrologie und Dialyse, Hirslanden Bern Ag. Salem-Spital
3/ Zakład Pielęgniarstwa, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie

Summary
Introduction. The benefits of high job satisfaction are known. The assessment of job satisfaction is crucial for the recognition of employees´ needs and expectations.
Aim. To assess the job satisfaction of nurses working in Poland and Norway.
Material and method. The study involved 227 nurses working in Poland and 203 nurses working in Norway. This survey-based study was conducted using a standardized questionnaire, Arbeitsbeschreibungsbogen (ABB).
Results. The job satisfaction of nurses working in Poland and Norway increased with age and job seniority. Longer average working hours were associated with lower job satisfaction of Norwegian nurses. The nurses working in Norway were more satisfied with all aspects of their work except for remuneration, and generally more satisfied with work and life. Low and very low satisfaction with life was declared by 75% of the Polish nurses and 16% of the Norwegian group, and very high satisfaction with life was noted in nearly one-fifth of nurses from Norway and only in 1% of nurses from Poland.
Conclusion. 1. The levels of the nurses´ professional satisfaction differed significantly in the study - they were low among the Polish nurses and high among their Norwegian counterparts. 2. Age, job seniority, average working time, and the number of people in the team determine the level of job satisfaction.

Key words:  job satisfaction, nurses, work, Poland, Norway