RELATIONSHIP DIMENSION NEEDS, AND JOB SATISFACTION OF JUNE 1982 NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSE GRADUATES (EDUCATION, TRANSITION)

Five hundred thirty-nine June 1982 New York State Associate Degree Nurse graduates were surveyed with a mail questionnaire to determine demographic factors, relationship dimension needs and job satisfaction for first full-time employment. The instrument incorporated the relationship dimension components of the Moos Work Enviroment Scale and the Cornell Job Satisfaction Questionnaire.;Relationship dimension needs in the components of supervisor support and involvement were significantly different in health care institutions of different sizes. The primary mission of the health care institution was not found to significantly affect relationship dimension needs. Familiarity with the institution as a result of student experience did not reduce the level of relationship dimension need for new graduates.;Respondents were more satisfied with the job satisfaction factors of "persons worked with" and "work done" than with the factor of "supervision received". Graduates were dissatisfied with the job satisfaction factors of "pay" and "advancement opportunities." Although 75 percent reported overall job satisfaction, the overall satisfaction scores were found to be lower for those educated and employed in the same geographic area.;Significantly higher relationship dimension needs and lower job satisfaction characterized the 10 percent of graduates intending to leave the nursing profession compared with the 90 percent intending to remain.;One hundred sixty-seven of the 222 returned questionnaires met all criteria for inclusion in the data pool. The summary of findings indicated that there was the lowest relationship dimension need in the component of peer cohesion, and the greatest need in the component of supervisor support. The relationship dimension component of involvement had the second highest need.;Based on the findings, the researcher recommended the development of the relationship dimension competencies of conflict resolution, assertiveness and problem solving through inclusion in Associate Degree Nurse Education curriculum and employee orientation programs.;Further research was recommended to test the effect of competency development on relationship dimension needs and job satisfaction.