INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue VI, June 2026
In the Philippines, the effects of nurse shortages are particularly evident in public and private hospitals. Although
the Department of Health recommends an ideal nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:12, reports have shown that actual
staffing levels in some tertiary hospitals remain considerably higher, with ratios reaching approximately 1:20 in
general wards (Quismorio, 2023). Excessive workloads, increasing patient demands, and workforce shortages
place substantial physical and emotional burdens on nurses, ultimately affecting their job satisfaction and their
willingness to remain in the profession.
Previous studies have identified several organizational factors that influence nurses' job satisfaction. Favorable
working conditions, supportive work environments, and meaningful recognition have been associated with
improved employee well-being, organizational commitment, and retention. Working conditions encompass
compensation, opportunities for professional development, organizational governance, and employment policies
that support nurses in performing their professional responsibilities. Adequate working conditions contribute to
employee motivation, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
Similarly, the work environment plays a crucial role in shaping nurses' professional experiences. A positive work
environment is characterized by supportive leadership, effective communication, teamwork, manageable
workloads, psychological safety, and adequate staffing. Conversely, unfavorable work environments contribute
to emotional exhaustion, burnout, decreased morale, and increased turnover intentions. In a recent study,
Boudreau and Rhéaume (2024) reported that nurses working in healthier work environments experienced lower
emotional exhaustion and were less likely to consider leaving the profession, highlighting the importance of
organizational support in retaining the nursing workforce.
Recognition is another essential component of employee satisfaction. Recognition acknowledges nurses'
professional competence, contributions, and accomplishments, fostering a sense of value and belonging within
the organization. Employees who perceive that their efforts are appreciated are generally more engaged,
motivated, and committed to their workplace. Ahmari and Qannass (2023) found that recognition and
empowerment were positively associated with nurses' job satisfaction, suggesting that healthcare leaders who
cultivate a culture of appreciation may improve staff retention and organizational performance.
Despite growing international evidence regarding factors associated with nurses' job satisfaction, limited
empirical studies have simultaneously examined the influence of working conditions, work environment, and
recognition among nurses in Northern Mindanao. Regional differences in organizational culture, healthcare
resources, staffing patterns, and management practices may influence nurses' perceptions and experiences,
making local evidence essential for developing context-specific workforce retention strategies. Understanding
these organizational factors is particularly important as healthcare institutions continue to address workforce
shortages while maintaining high standards of patient care.
This study therefore examined the levels of working conditions, work environment, recognition, and job
satisfaction among nurses employed in selected hospitals in Northern Mindanao. Furthermore, it determined the
relationships between these organizational factors and nurses' job satisfaction and identified whether these
variables predict job satisfaction. The findings are expected to provide hospital administrators, nursing managers,
and policymakers with evidence to guide organizational interventions to improve nurses' work experiences,
enhance job satisfaction, and strengthen nurse retention in the region.
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
This study is anchored in four complementary theories that explain how organizational factors influence nurses'
job satisfaction: Herzberg's Two-Factor Motivation Theory, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Erickson, Tomlin,
and Swain's Modeling and Role Modeling Theory, and Hildegard Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations.
Collectively, these theories provide a comprehensive explanation of how working conditions, work environment,
and recognition contribute to nurses' job satisfaction.
Herzberg's Two-Factor Motivation Theory proposes that job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction arise from two
distinct categories of factors. Motivator factors, including achievement, recognition, responsibility,