Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of professional autonomy, emotional intelligence, role conflict, and job satisfaction among physical assistant nurses, to analyze the relationships among these variables, and to identify the...
Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of professional autonomy, emotional intelligence, role conflict, and job satisfaction among physical assistant nurses, to analyze the relationships among these variables, and to identify the factors influencing their job satisfaction. Methods : This study was a descriptive correlational study, and data were collected from clinical support nurses working at five general hospitals in J Province from August 15 to September 5, 2025. 144 individuals who fully understood the purpose of the study and gave written consent to participate were selected as the final analysis subjects. Using a structured self-report questionnaire, professional autonomy was assessed using Dempster's Practice Behaviors Scale (DPBS), emotional intelligence was assessed using Wong and Law's Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), role conflict was assessed using Kim Moon-sil and Park Sang-yeon's Role Conflict Tool, and job satisfaction was assessed using Stamp et al.'s Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS). The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 program. The general characteristics of the subjects were calculated as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Differences according to characteristics were verified using independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA, and if significant, Scheffé post hoc tests were performed. In addition, the correlation between variables was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis using the enter method was performed to identify factors influencing job satisfaction. Results : The findings of the study are as follows. 1. The total number of subjects was 144, with an average age of 35.53 ±7.00 years. There were 94 females (65.3%) and 95 marrieds(66.0%). The highest level of education was a bachelor's degree for 105 subjects (72.9%), the most common department was nursing for 97 subjects (67.4%), and the most common annual salary was 50 million won or more for 56 subjects (38.9%). The average clinical experience was 11.29±6.94 years, and the average experience as a physical assistant nurses was 3.52±3.62 years. 112 subjects (77.8%) had no training experience before placement, while 108 subjects (75.8%) had training experience after placement. 2. The subjects' professional autonomy averaged 3.30±0.57 out of a maximum of 5 points, their emotional intelligence averaged 3.62±0.42 out of 5 points, and their role conflict averaged 3.53±0.54 out of 5 points. Their job satisfaction averaged 3.19±0.38 out of 5 points. 3. Job satisfaction according to the general characteristics of the subjects showed significant differences according to the Physician Assistant Nurse experience (F=3.74, p=.013), pre-placement training experience (F=2.76, p=.007), and post-placement training experience (F=2.14, p=.034). 4. The subjects' job satisfaction showed a statistically significant positive correlation with professional autonomy (r=.47, p<.001) and emotional intelligence (r=.41, p<.001). Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between professional autonomy and emotional intelligence (r=.41, p<.001). 5. Factors significantly influencing physical assistant nurses job satisfaction included professional autonomy (β=.35, p<.001), emotional intelligence (β=.29, p<.001), and role conflict (β=.17, p=.019). Furthermore, physical assistant nurses with 1 to 3 years of experience (β=-.21, p=.020) had a negative impact on job satisfaction. These ariables explained 28.3% of the variance in job satisfaction (F=12.28, p<.001). This study confirmed that professional autonomy, emotional intelligence, and role conflict among physical assistant nurses significantly impact job satisfaction. This suggests the need to establish a standardized education and training system that promotes professional autonomy and develop emotional competency programs that enhance emotional awareness and regulation to enhance job satisfaction among physical assistant nurses. Furthermore, clear role definitions and an institutional foundation are essential at the organizational level to foster positive factors that may arise during role performance. Combining these multi-layered approaches is expected to more effectively enhance job satisfaction and establish professional roles among physical assistant nurses.