Job satisfaction is a public health issue that can lead to uneasiness and career change. Very few French studies deal with the experience of rehabilitation nurses. We carried out a qualitative study about the satisfaction of French rehabilitation nurses on their practice.

A survey was sent by Google forms to French rehabilitation nurses, through the association “infirmiers de rééducation réadaptation” (AIRR). Four topics were broached: socio-professional criteria, workplace, specifics on their professional activity, and a satisfaction assessment on the professional practice in rehabilitation.

Two hundred and five French nurses answered the questionnaire. Nurses were predominately woman with 89.4%. The average age is 37. Most nurses work in non-profit health institutions (70% vs. 30% in hospital centers). A total of 80% of nurses choose the rehabilitation specialty. The average satisfaction is 6.7/10, of which 88.4% are satisfied or very satisfied (EVA>6/10). The average satisfaction on exchanges with the healthcare team is over 90% and exchanges with the medical team are 70%. Relationship with the patient and teamwork are viewed as satisfactory factors. The lack of involvement in the rehabilitation project is viewed as harmful by nursing teams.

Two highlighted factors affect satisfaction on professional practice from rehabilitation nurses. Seeing as most nurses choose the rehabilitation specialty, the risk of leaving the sector after 10years is reduced by 65% (the risk of leaving rehabilitation after 10years decreases by 58%). Moreover, according to our study, having an important part in the therapeutic project increases satisfaction. The same results were found in the Norwegian study of Begat et al. It also showed that a good management of nursing teams reduces their stress and anxiety. Previous studies on nurses’ job satisfaction have highlighted the benefit of a good work environment. Roets-Merken et al have described a program in order to improve the nurses’ autonomy with seniors with sensory deficit's care. These nursing empowerment programs will be able to improve nursing teams’ self-valorization and increase their practice's satisfaction.