Workplace Environmental factors affecting Workplace Satisfaction of Novice Public Health Nurses in the Municipalities

This study aimed to examine workplace environment that affects the workplace satisfaction of novice public health nurses (PHNs). An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was sent to 670 PHNs working at municipalities. The survey comprised basic attributes, a comfortable workplace scale (Japanese version), and workplace satisfaction. We classified the PHNs into two groups, “novice” and “others,” based on their years of experience. We compared the scores on the comfortable workplace scale between the two groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed with workplace satisfaction as the dependent variable and comfortable workplace scale as the independent variable. Three hundred and fifty (52.2%) PHNs returned the questionnaire. Novice PHNs highly appreciated “human relations” and “work discretion” in their workplaces. The scores of novice PHNs on “career development” were significantly higher than that of the others. Workplace satisfaction in novice PHNs was improved by “human relations,” “labor load,” and “connection with society.” “Career development” affected other PHNs’ workplace satisfaction, but it did not affect the novice PHNs.