Work satisfaction among nurse case managers: A comparison of two practice models

Abstract

Case management by professional nurses is a rapidly expanding function within managed care systems. The purposes of this study were to describe the extent of perceived control over nursing practice, job stress, and work satisfaction among 30 Nurse Case Managers (n = 30) practicing in two different models of nursing case management and to describe the impact of control over nursing and job stress on work satisfaction. Three instruments were used: Control Over Nursing Practice Scale, Nurse Case Manager Job Stress Index, and Index of Work Satisfaction for Nurse Case Managers. Work satisfaction was positively correlated with control over nursing practice (r =.65, p =.01) and a negatively correlated with job stress (r = -.43, p =.01). Demographic characteristics were not correlated with the variables under study. Control over nursing practice had a stronger impact (B =.59) on work satisfaction than did job stress (B = -.33); together they explained 53 percent of the variance in work satisfaction.