Exploring factors associated with nurses' job dissatisfaction in China
A qualitative approach
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21622529 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jackie Zhanbiao Li (0009-0002-0880-6642, Curtin University Sarawak, corresponding author), Yingqian Lao (Guilin Medical University), Yuyan Shen (0000-0002-8007-6819, Shanghai Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital), Ru Xu (0000-0002-5203-5980, Shanghai Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital), Yin Xu (0000-0003-3718-4715, Central Hospital of Putuo District) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Current Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12144-026-09342-9 |
| OpenAlex | W7151428543 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 49 |
Nurses’ job dissatisfaction poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. While existing studies have identified key factors, the mechanisms associated with nurses’ job dissatisfaction within China's specific socio-organizational and individual contexts have yet to be thoroughly explored. This study aims to investigate the critical factors contributing to nurses’ job dissatisfaction in China from a multi-level perspective using qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observations were conducted with nurses from various regions and healthcare settings in China. Thematic analysis was applied to extract core and sub-themes. The findings revealed that nurses' job dissatisfaction arises from three key levels: societal (low salary, lack of professional value recognition, and work-life balance conflict), organizational (high workload, management issues, and insufficient training), and personal (mismatch between career expectations and reality, relationship and emotional Issues, and psychological challenges). This study provides multi-dimensional empirical evidence for improving nurses’ job satisfaction and suggests targeted interventions through socail, organizational, and individual levels to address this issue effectively
Core self-evaluations · Empirical research · Job attitude · Job satisfaction · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Nursing education and management
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| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |