A comparison of job satisfaction among nursing assistants in nursing homes and the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

Three hundred forty-nine full-time nursing assistants (NAs) in 5 PACE programs and their neighboring nursing homes were surveyed to assess job satisfaction. There were no significant differences between NAs in the two models of care with respect to demographics, job description, or importance placed on job elements. Job satisfaction, however, was higher among the PACE NAs. PACE NAs reported a significantly higher prevalence of the chance to form close relationships with patients, variety, respect for suggestions by people who make decisions about patient care, the chance to use one's own judgment, the chance to discuss patients with other team members, and respect for choices in assignment type.