Predictors of Job Performance, Work Satisfaction, and Productivity among Korean Hospital Nurses

Lee, Hae Jung

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of burnout experienced by Korean hospital nurses (N=198), and to identify predictors of their nursing outcomes such as job performance, work satisfaction, and productivity. METHOD: Hierarchical multiple regression was used to identify predictors of each nursing outcomes. Included predictors were nurses' general characteristics, work- related characteristics (role stress and perceived control), and burnout. Results: Korean nurses experienced higher levels of burnout compared to the cutoffs suggested by Maslach and Jackson (1986) and to those in the USA. For each nursing outcome, predictor variables explained 39% of the variance in role performance, 30% of the variance in work satisfaction, and 38% of variance in productivity. Higher personal accomplishment, lower role ambiguity, being staff nurses, and lower emotional exhaustion were related to higher job performance, and higher productivity. Lower role conflict and role ambiguity were also related to higher work satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, managemental interventions for nurses to reduce their burnout experience are needed. Further study in this area is warranted.