Job satisfaction and importance for intensive care unit research coordinators: results from binational survey

Abstract

Objective: To measure Intensive Care Unit Research Coordinator job satisfaction and importance, and to identify priorities for role development. Background: Research Coordinator numbers are growing internationally in response to increasing clinical research activity. In Australia, 1% of registered nurses work principally in research, many as Research Coordinator. Internationally, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals currently has 6,536 certified Research Coordinator in thirteen countries, with likely additional large numbers practicing without the voluntary certification. RCs are almost always nurses, yet little is know about this emerging specialty. Design: Cross-sectional study using anonymous self-report questionnaire Methods: After ethics approval, the McCloskey-Mueller Satisfaction Scale and McCloskey-Mueller Importance Scale were administered via the internet. The sample were 49 (response rate 71%) Research Coordinator from the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Unit Research Coordinators' Interest Group. Results: Research Coordinator were satisfied with structural aspects of the position i.e. working business hours; flexibility of working hours; high levels of responsibility and control over their work. Dissatisfaction was expressed regarding: remuneration and recognition, compensation for weekend work; salary package; career advancement opportunities; and childcare facilities. Conclusions: High priorities for role development are those rated highly important but with much lower satisfaction. These are: compensation for weekend call-out work; salary and remuneration package; recognition by management and clinicians; career advancement opportunities; departmental research processes; encouragement and feedback; and number of working hours. Relevance to clinical practice: Increasing numbers of nurses have been attracted to this clinically based research position. These data contribute to the understanding and development of the role.