Abstract:

Job satisfaction (JS) is a crucial variable in organizational behavior and has been studied across different fields. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine nurses’ level of JS at the Northeast Local Health Unit (NLHU) in Portugal and to identify which sociodemographic and organizational variables serve as differentiating factors. This cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted across three hospital units integrated into the NLHU from July 2022 to October 2023. A simple random sample of 149 nurses was surveyed through a questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables and the JS Scale by Siqueira (2008). The data were analyzed using software suitable for the Social and Health Sciences. The internal consistency of the JS scale dimensions, assessed using Cronbach's alpha, was good to very good (α > 0.8). The JS was low (𝑥̄=3.6; SD=0.987), primarily due to dissatisfaction with salaries (𝑥̄=2.1; SD=1.182) and career progression (𝑥̄=2.4; SD=1.267). Satisfaction with colleagues (𝑥̄ =4.6; SD=1.296), work’s nature (𝑥̄=4.4; SD=1.224), and management (𝑥̄=4.3; SD=1.518) contributed positively to JS. Furthermore, satisfaction with colleagues varied by age, service length, and contract type (p < 0.05). Additionally, gender was a significant factor in salary satisfaction (p<0.05). Finally, JS differed in terms of service length (p < 0.05). Most nurses were dissatisfied, suggesting the need to implement measures to improve JS, namely, offering more competitive salaries and professional growth through progression in skills, knowledge, and responsibilities over time.