Nursing satisfaction is related to high rates of nurses retention of the profession, high patient outcomes and increase productivity for each hospital. Understanding about the factors contribute to job satisfaction could enhance positively nurses and patients’ outcome as well as organizational outcomes. The aim of this study to examine the level of job satisfaction and factors predicting job satisfaction among staff nurses in general hospitals under ministry of health in the North of Vietnam. A descriptive predictive design was conducted in Thai Nguyen central general hospital with sample of 106 staff nurses. Data were collected by using self-report questionnaire with two instruments, including Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and Autonomy Questionnaire. The results reported moderate levels of job satisfaction (  = 3.71, SD = 0.45) as well as autonomy (  = 3.67, SD = 0.53). Multiple regression analysis revealed that 64% of variation in nursing job satisfaction was explained by associate degree, working experience and autonomy (R² = .64, F = [4, 101] = 45.340, p < .001). These findings indicated that the need to implement health policies that focus on salary, benefits and promotion for staff nurses. Besides, healthcare administrators should considered establish clearly role description and career structure that reflects levels of practice and autonomy based on the programmes of nurse preparation.

               Keywords: Job satisfaction, autonomy, personal characteristics, staff nurses.