Correlating Work Motivation, Job Satisfaction, and Performance Among Remote Archipelagic Nurses

Abstract

Nurses working in remote, border, and island areas face complex geographic, infrastructure, and resource limitations that create significant professional challenges in delivering sustainable healthcare services. This study aimed to determine the correlation between work motivation, job satisfaction, and performance among nurses in public health centers in Sangihe Islands Regency. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with a study population consisting of all nurses across public health centers in the regency. A total of 72 nurses were selected through purposive sampling, specifically those working on small islands. Results showed that the majority of nurses had high job satisfaction (76.4%), while performance was predominantly in the sufficient category (56.9%). No significant relationship was found between work motivation and job satisfaction (?² = 0.006; p = 0.936); however, a significant relationship existed between work motivation and nurse performance (?² = 19.039; p = 0.000), with 76.9% of highly motivated nurses demonstrating good performance. These findings suggest that work motivation substantially contributes to improved nurse performance, whereas job satisfaction is more strongly shaped by organizational and environmental factors. Improving nurse performance in island regions therefore requires strengthening work motivation alongside systemic reforms in organizational policies, working conditions, and broader health system support.