Investing in human capital: exploring causes, consequences and solutions to nurses’ dissatisfaction

Abstract

Background Human capital (employees) is the most important asset for healthcare. However, nurses experience some of the highest rates of burnout and dissatisfaction. In 2017, the Nursing and Midwifery Council reported that, for the first time since 2008, more nurses and midwives are leaving the profession in the UK than joining it. Aims The aim of this paper is to explore the literature regarding the importance of human capital within healthcare sectors in the UK, with a particular focus on nurses and job satisfaction. Methods A literature review was conducted with the focus on the aim, as stated above. Findings and conclusions have been summarised. Potential causes, consequences and solutions to job dissatisfaction are explored. Results Factors related to job satisfaction include pay, respect, security, workload, recognition, responsibility, environment, autonomy, personal growth, administrative bureaucracy and caseload. Investing and promoting ‘organisational compassion’ could be a key part of the solution. Conclusions More research using the same validated tools for measuring job satisfaction will help with consistency and comparability across hospitals. It is hoped this could provide information aiding recruitment and retention, which is a problem within both the NHS and independent sectors.