Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction of Immigrant Korean Nurses

Purpose: An increasing number of foreign-born nurses are working in the United States. Nurses’ job satisfaction is a critical issue for quality patient care. The purpose of this study was to examine factors affecting the job satisfaction of immigrant Korean nurses. Design: We used a cross-sectional mailed survey design. A convenience sample ( n = 105) of members of the Greater New York Korean Nurses Association currently working or had previously worked in the United States completed the questionnaires. We used hierarchical regression to test the effects of acculturation and life satisfaction on job satisfaction. Results: Most participants were female ( n = 98, 93.3%) aged 27 to 70 years (mean = 52.27 years, SD = 10.67). In the regression model, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived stress predicted job satisfaction ( F = 5.127, p < .001) and explained 44.5% of the variance of job satisfaction. Discussion and Conclusion: U.S. nurses need to gain insight into factors influencing job satisfaction in Korean nurses to promote retention and quality care.