The relationship between professional socialisation and job satisfaction of nurse educators of a provincial nursing college in South Africa

Abstract

The nursing education institutions play a major role in the training of nurses to curb the shortage of nurses in the country. Nurse educators assist with the primary socialisation of new nurses into the nursing profession. Likewise, new nurse educators need to be socialised into the nursing education system. Proper socialisation of new educators into the education system is vital for the continuity and reinforcing of professional values. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe the relationship between professional socialisation and job satisfaction of nurse educators of a provincial college in South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive correlational design was used for the study. The sample consisted of nurse educators (N=102) employed by the Kwa Zulu Department of Health with the Kwa Zulu College of Nursing (KZNCN). Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, which included both the Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R) questionnaire and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Statistical data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programmes. The results showed reliability of the NPVS-R questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha (α) ranging between .637 and .811 and between .798 and .883 for the MSQ. Confirmatory factor analysis for the NPVS-R and exploratory factor analysis for the MSQ both had p-value of .0001 concluding a statistical significance of the questionnaires with a sufficiently high correlation. Again a positive correlation coefficient (r>.328) was concluded amongst the demographic data and the NPVS-R and MSQ. The null hypothesis was rejected since a good correlation between the professional socialisation and the job satisfaction statements of nurse educators of a provincial college was concluded. Recommendations include: proper socialisation and mentorship of new educators into the new education role for both personal and professional development and the proper utilisation of individual skills and expertise in order to prevent animosity and job dissatisfaction. Moreover, strategies to improve the working conditions and remuneration of nurse educators so as to attract new nurse educators into the education system are vital.