Sammanfattning
Background:
The knowledge surrounding nurses' work motivation is currently insufficient, and previous studies
have rarely taken into account the role of many influential background factors.
Aim:
This study investigates the motivation of Estonian nurses in hospitals, and how individual and
organisational background factors influence their motivation to work.
Methods:
The study is quantitative and cross-sectional. An electronically self-reported questionnaire was used
for data collection. The sample comprised of 201 Registered Nurses working in various hospital
settings in Estonia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum
(Mann-Whitney) test, Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations rank test and Spearman's correlation.
Results:
Both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations were noted among hospital nurses. Nurses were moderately
externally motivated (M = 3.63, SD = 0.89) and intrinsically strongly motivated (M = 4.98, SD = 1.03).
A nurses' age and the duration of service were positively correlated with one particular area of
extrinsic work motivation, namely introjected regulation (p < 0.001). Nurses who had professional
training over 7 days per year had both a higher extrinsic motivation (p = 0.016) and intrinsic work
motivation (p = 0.004).
Conclusions:
The findings expand current knowledge of nurses' work motivation by describing the amount and
orientation of work motivation among hospital nurses and highlighting background factors which
should be taken into account in order to sustain and increase their intrinsic work motivation. The
instrument used in the study can be an effective tool for nurse managers to determine a nurse's
reasons to work and to choose a proper motivational strategy. Further research and testing of the
instrument in different countries and in different contexts of nursing is however required. Published
by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.