The Influence of the Practice Environment on Nurse Managers' Job Satisfaction and Intent to Leave

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the influence of the practice environment on nurse managers' (NMs') job satisfaction and intent to leave. BACKGROUND: Nurse managers are a ready pool of talent to fill impending strategic leadership vacancies. Job satisfaction as an NM is a deciding factor for senior leadership aspirations. METHODS: This study used a secondary analysis of 2012 survey data of 355 NMs. The Nurse Manager Practice Environment Scale was used to identify organizational features that influence NMs' job satisfaction and intent to leave. RESULTS: Mean (SD) job satisfaction was 4.5 (1.1) on a 6-point scale. Mean (SD) intent to leave was 5.0 (2.1) on a scale ranging from 3 to 9. The Nurse Manager Practice Environment Scale was a significant predictor of both job satisfaction and intent to leave. CONCLUSIONS: Features of the organizational context can be modified to improve job satisfaction and reduce intent to leave among NMs.