Attitudes of nurse anesthetists regarding choice of residence and job satisfaction in Nebraska.

Nebraska CRNAs were surveyed to identify their attitudes regarding choice of residence and to rate their overall job satisfaction. In addition, the study determined differences in these attitudes, based on employment and whether they resided in a metropolitan or rural setting. Places of residence and employment in Nebraska were grouped according to population. Metropolitan areas consisted of Omaha/Douglas County and Lincoln whose populations were greater than 200,000. Moderately sized communities, where rural referral centers are located, were grouped together, and by default other communities were considered to be smaller rural communities. With a 76% response rate (n = 168), the survey demonstrated no significant difference among the four regional CRNA groups with regard to overall job satisfaction. There were however, areas of significant difference among the CRNA groups with regard to the components of job satisfaction; this was most apparent between the rural referral center and the Lincoln CRNA groups. The rural referral center CRNA group rated the following significantly higher from the Lincoln CRNA group: 1. Autonomy. 2. Experiencing positive CRNA/surgeon relationships. 3. The opportunity to improve professional skills. 4. The opportunity to meet professional goals. 5. The ability to practice anesthesia as trained. Conversely, the Lincoln CRNA group rated having "sufficient time away from work" higher than all other CRNA groups. All CRNA groups rated "quality of life" as the leading environmental reason for choosing their place of residence. In addition, the CRNA groups rated these reasons for choosing their communities: 1. Affordable housing. 2. Quality public schools. 3. A clean environment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)