[Job satisfaction and quality of life among hospital nurses in the Yunlin-Chiayi area].

The purpose of this study was to explore job satisfaction and quality of life and their inter-relationships among nurses. A cross-sectional research design was applied. Participants were 1,020 nurses who had worked for over six months at seven hospitals in Yunlin and Chiayi counties. Nine hundred and eleven questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 89.3%. The questionnaire comprised three parts: demographic characteristics and work environment, quality of life, and job satisfaction. The Cronbach's alphas were .87-.94. Data were analyzed by SPSS/PC 13.0. The results showed: (1) Factors affecting job satisfaction were support managers, number of patients cared for during day time, health status, stress from changing units, religion, work stress, and working unit's suitability to one's interests (R(2) = 53.5%). (2) Factors affecting quality of life were job satisfaction, happiness of life, health status, work stress, and age (R(2) = 51.0%). (3) There was a positive correlation between job satisfaction and quality of life. Nursing managers should create better work environments to improve nurses' job satisfaction and facilitate their retention in the nursing profession.