A new study investigates factors that promote job satisfaction and retention intentions among nurses working in public clinical centers in Kazakhstan. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 359 nurses, researchers found that although nurses were generally satisfied with their jobs, their motivation to stay was only moderate. The findings of this study highlight mentoring, assessment, professional role development, and a supportive practice environment as important tools for strengthening the nursing workforce during a period of healthcare reform in Kazakhstan.
Main findings
- This study surveyed 359 nurses at two public clinical centers in Kazakhstan using the Casey Fink Nurse Retention Survey and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Labor Index.
- Nurses reported moderately good job satisfaction scores of 3.89/5 and retention intentions averaged 3.12/4. This suggests that although many nurses are satisfied, long-term retention is not fully ensured.
- Appraisals, rewards, and coaching were both strongly related to job satisfaction, and appraisal and coaching also showed particularly strong correlations with each other (r = 0.84).
- Regression analysis revealed mentoring, professional nursing roles, and nurse participation in hospital administration as significant positive predictors of job satisfaction.
- Schedule and flexibility showed a significant negative correlation with job satisfaction, indicating that rigid schedules may be undermining nurses’ well-being.
- The overall model explains a significant portion of the variance in job satisfaction (R² = 0.416), highlighting the importance of workplace and organizational factors.
why is it important
Nursing shortages are a global concern, and Kazakhstan faces these pressures even as its healthcare system continues to evolve. This study provides rare empirical evidence from Central Asia that workforce stability depends not only on staffing levels but also on whether nurses feel supported, recognized, guided, and included in decision-making. The findings provide practical guidance for hospitals and policy makers looking to improve retention, enhance working conditions, and maintain quality patient care.
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Reference magazines:
Almazan, J. Others. (2026). Analysis of factors of job satisfaction and nurse retention of Kazakh nurses in public clinical centers: Key factors and insights. nursing forum. DOI: 10.1155/nuf/4032456. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/nuf/4032456

