Curationis
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The overall aim of this study was to investigate job satisfaction and self-esteem among South African nurses. The objectives of the study were to: (1) ascertain South African nurses' satisfaction with their work, pay, promotion, supervision and co-workers; (2) compare job satisfaction of South African nurses with that of North American nurses; (3) determine levels of self-esteem; and (4) test the direct and indirect effects of self-esteem on job satisfaction. A postal survey was conducted on a random sample of 2,000 nurses registered with the South African Nursing Council; 396 persons returned the questionnaires (Group 1). ⋯ High self-esteem nurses were more likely to attend to work-related needs in judging their job satisfaction than low self-esteem nurses. The best model for predicting job satisfaction was the linear incorporation of self-esteem and work-related needs. It was concluded that: (1) the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) was a useful measure of job satisfaction; (2) the quality of life in the South African nursing profession was lower than their American counterparts; (3) nurses had high levels of self-esteem; and (4) self-esteem directly and indirectly affected job satisfaction.
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This 2-part article discusses firstly, the general characteristics of action research, compares several strategies of approach and describes the author's chosen method of applying action research to particular aspects of nursing care in an Accident & Emergency Unit in a Durban hospital. The second part of the article (to be published in the next issue of Curationis) describes identification of problems within the unit, the implementation of change and the limitations and potential of such study to nursing practice.