Work satisfaction of professional nurses in South Africa: a comparative analysis of the public and private sectors

Table 1 Respondent characteristics and future work plans

		Frequency	Valid percentage
Gender (N = 559)	Male	33	5.9
	Female	526	94.1
	Total	559	100
Age (N = 562)	< 30	24	4.3
	30–40	127	22.6
	> 40	411	73.1
	Total	562	100
Place of employment (N = 557)	Mpumalanga	27	4.8
	Limpopo	42	7.5
	Northern Cape	11	2
	Gauteng	149	26.8
	Free State	36	6.5
	North West	24	4.3
	Eastern Cape	63	11.3
	Kwa-Zulu Natal	116	20.8
	Western Cape	89	16
	Total	557	100
Sector of employment (N = 550)	Private	219	39.8
	Public	331	60.2
	Total	550	100
Intention to change sector (N = 540)	Yes	188	34.8
	No	352	65.2
	Total	540	100
Years of nursing experience (N = 563)	0–9	66	11.7
	10–19	157	27.9
	> 20	340	60.4
	Total	563	100
Work plan for next 5 years (N = 536)	Remain in current position	162	30.2
	Leaving nurse for another profession	68	12.7
	Quit nursing and retire from all forms of employment	50	9.3
	Work abroad	84	15.7
	Further training in nursing	125	23.3
	Others	47	8.8
	Total	536	100

ISSN: 1478-4491