Comparative Study on the Nurses' Job Satisfaction between the Oriental Medicine Ward and the General Ward

한방병동과 일반병동 간호사의 직무만족도의 비교연구

In our society today, a variety of medical caring system, along with a scientific development in the area of oriental medical science plus national demand, has increased the augmentation and the opening of oriental wards and hospitals (Han Bang), which has come to create an additional requirement of nursing activity at oriental medicine wards should be different from that of the general wards or the same as the other. In view of this, various studies need to be made in this connection. The purpose of this study is to comprehend the number of nurses who want to work at oriental medicine wards and measure job satisfaction in nursing as compared with those working at general wards so as to provide basic materials for future assignment and supplementary training for the nurses. An attempt was made to contribute toward nursing administration on the one hand improving nursing training course on the other hand. A total of 72 nurses currently working at two oriental medicine hospitals available in Seoul and 82 general nurses were selected for this study using the questionaire from December 1993 to January 1994. An instrument for the study was based on the measurement of work satisfaction developed by Paula L. Stamps including 37 questions complemented by Kim for revision (1993) and 14 questions regarding general characteristics and oriental medicine wards. The instrument to test dependability showed Cronbach's=0.7711. The collected data have been processed by computer package SPSS. General characteristics of the two groups and the matters involved in oriental medicine wards were calculated into real figure and percentage an similarities between the two groups were analyzed by t-test and F-test according to the characteristics of variables. The comparative test on work satisfaction among the two groups including general characteristics and work factors were conducted by t-test and F-test. The major findings as a result of the study are as follows : 1. As general characteristics, age group of $26{\sim}30$ years are more than any segment of age. As to marital status, the number of those in single status is slightly higher than the married. Approximately 80% of them are graduates of nursing schools and nursing colleges. They are mostly in service for one to three years. There is no significant difference between the two groups. 2. The number of those who want to work at oriental medicine wards represents 40.3% against 58.4%, being in favor of general wards. 3. The reason for service at oriental medicine wards is that "there is room for potential research" which happened to rank first, followed by "easy job," "good working atmosphere" and "growing interest in oriental medicine." 4. Work satisfactions among nurses who work at oriental medicine wards prove greater than that of nurses who work at general wards. 5. Work satisfaction between the two groups by work factors is reflected with significant difference statistically on task requirement, interaction and doctor-nurse relationships. 6. The general charcateristics and the work satisfaction by work factors prove that there are significant difference in age, marital status, education and the period of work. They tend to be more satisfied with the work as they grow in age. Significant differneces are found in the work factors such as autonomy, adiministration and professional job in the relationship with doctor-nurse. As to marital status, the married are more satisfied than the unmarried. There are significant differneces in the factors respecting administration and doctor-nurse college graduates are highly satisfied with task requirement. However, satisfaction with the professional level has proven the highest degree for those having master degree. The period of work and satisfaction : There are significant differneces in task requirement, administration, interactions, professional level and doctor-nurse relationships. As a general rule, the degree of satisfactions is in proportion to the lengrh of service. The following conclusions are drawn based on the fndings mentioned above. Even though the work satisfaction of the nurse who work at oriental medicine ward is relatively high, it is desired that personal consultation be given as to disposition of nurses when they are assigned to oriental medicine wards. It is also recommended that lectures on oriental medicine be conducted through supplementary training and/or basic nursing course in order that they may be motivated for ingenious activities with an increasing sense of self-esteem which will eventually enhance positive changes for the patients who are in need of oriental medicine nursing and for the medical teams. In addition, joint reseaches involvingclinical care and education should be in constant process for unique and scientific development for those who are subject to oriental medicine nursing care.