Global Prevalence of Job Dissatisfaction Among Nurses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Nurses play a critical role in healthcare systems, yet many report job dissatisfaction, making it a growing concern globally. High rates of dissatisfaction among nurses have been documented across various countries and healthcare settings. Estimating the prevalence of job dissatisfaction is essential, as it provides insight into the overall state of the nursing workforce and helps inform workforce planning, policy development, and strategies to enhance nurse well-being and retention.
Objective: This study aims to estimate the global prevalence of job dissatisfaction among nurses through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Studies reporting the prevalence of job satisfaction among nurses from 1976 to 2025 were included. A random-effects model was used to pool data, and heterogeneity was assessed using the both the I-squared (I²) and Q statistics.
Results: The meta-analysis included 383 studies involving 487,724 nurses, with a pooled job dissatisfaction rate of 49.8%. Significant heterogeneity (I² = 99.3%) was observed. Subgroup analyses indicated that dissatisfaction was higher in more recent studies, while meta-regression
analysis showed that being female was a significant predictor of job dissatisfaction.
Conclusion: Being a female nurse was found to be significantly associated with a higher prevalence of job dissatisfaction, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this disparity. Overall, the high level of dissatisfaction among nurses indicates a critical need for urgent action. Improving work conditions and providing professional development opportunities may be
essential strategies to enhance job satisfaction and reduce turnover in the nursing workforce.