Table 2

Factors affecting job satisfaction

Workloada
     Clinical load (patient case-mix, complexity, etc.)
     Contribution of health care assistants [3]
     Skill mix of intensive care unit team members
     Staffing levels
     Other duties (clinical, administrative, academic)
Staff supportb
     Leadership (nursing, medical)
     Team culture
     Intensive care unit image
     Working relationships
     Flexibility of scheduling
     Supervision (e.g. shift leader, etc.)
     Definition of roles and skill requirements
     Autonomy of decision-making for frontline staff
     Intensive care unit policies, clinical guidelines, protocols
     Stress management
     Intensive care unit environment (equipment, facilities, physical layout)
     Continuing professional development (education, training, appraisal)
     Salary
     Social and other benefits

aDirect and other-than-direct patient care, nonpatient responsibilities.

bSee text ("Core problem").

Laporta et al. Critical Care 2005 9:454   doi:10.1186/cc3543