Caring Under Pressure: A Qualitative Study of Nurse Job Satisfaction in a Private Hospital in Nigeria

Using the Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, this study explored factors influencing job satisfaction among nurses in a private hospital in Nigeria. Ten nurses were recruited through purposive sampling to participate in interviews. Data was analyzed in MAXQDA using a thematic analysis approach. Extrinsic (hygiene) factors (i.e., high workload, low salary, limited opportunities for career advancement) were noted by respondents as significant sources of dissatisfaction, while intrinsic (motivational) factors (i.e., autonomy, peer support, and recognition) enhanced job satisfaction. Findings offer insights into how systemic and interpersonal factors influence nurse satisfaction and provide evidence-based strategies for enhancing retention in low-resource, profit-driven healthcare environments.