Date of Conferral

9-24-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Scott Hershberger

Abstract

This study was focused on certified nursing assistants’ (CNAs) views of the association between their motivation, job satisfaction, and the quality of care they offer to patients in one chosen nursing home center in New Jersey. Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation and a generic qualitative design were used to explore CNAs’ experiences and perspectives relating to their motivation, job fulfillment, and the level of care. The study included semi structured interviews with the 12 CNAs, who were directly and consistently in contact with their respective patients at the selected nursing home center. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through a thematic analysis to deduce shared patterns and repeated themes. The findings from the study demonstrated that CNAs obtain satisfaction from intrinsic factors such as their relationship with patients and recognition. In contrast, extrinsic factors such as low pay and constrained staffing cause their dissatisfaction. However, despite these hindrances, CNAs demonstrated a solid resilience in providing consistent and compassionate care to their patients. From the study’s results, enhancing work conditions, improving time provided for patient interaction, and enabling recognition, especially from the administrators, can enhance CNAs' job satisfaction and subsequent retention. These results are significant to the literature on long-term care staffing and may contribute to positive social change in that they may have effective implications for healthcare administrators interested in elevating patient outcomes through a more engaged workforce.

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