How Religious Commitment Shapes Job Satisfaction in Nursing Practice: A cross-sectional study

Background Spirituality can significantly influence job satisfaction among nurses. Given that job satisfaction is a key factor in the quality of healthcare services, this study aimed to explore the relationship between religious commitment and job satisfaction among Shia Muslim nurses. Methods A cross-sectional design targeting 1,800 nurses across medical centers in Babol, Iran. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling table, a minimum sample of 400 participants was calculated to ensure statistical power (95% confidence level, 5% margin of error). Convenience sampling yielded 383 eligible respondents (response rate: 95.75%). Religious commitment was assessed via the 60-item Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI), validated for Islamic contexts, while job satisfaction was measured using the 72-item Job Descriptive Index (JDI). Data were analyzed in SPSS-21 using Pearson’s correlation, Mann-Whitney U, and descriptive statistics. Results A statistically significant, moderate correlation emerged between religious commitment and job satisfaction (r = 0.32, p < 0.01). Gender did not predict variance in religious commitment (p = 0.42), aligning with studies suggesting egalitarian spiritual engagement in nursing. However, educational attainment positively correlated with religious adherence (β = 0.18, p < 0.05), indicating that higher education may enhance nurses’ capacity to integrate faith-based values into professional practice. Conclusion This study underscores religious commitment as a culturally embedded resource that fosters job satisfaction among nurses, primarily through instilling purpose, community belonging, and adaptive coping strategies. These findings advocate for healthcare policies that accommodate spiritual practices, such as integrating faith-aligned resilience training and fostering inclusive environments for religious expression.