Kayworzts The present study examines job-related factors leading to low self-esteem in nurses, Thelowering of self-esteem suggests that such nurses had didificulty in fu11y accepting themselves and their circumstances. Subjects were registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) at hospitals, and unemployed registered nurses (UEN) seeking,.e, mployment. Questionnaires were provided at 53 ,hospitals and a Nurse Bank in Kanagawa Prefecture. The responses of 552 RN, 146 LPN and 433 UEN

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... were analyzed. Questions were asked about personal life, past or present nursing experience, working conditions, nursing skills, satisfaction with work perfbrrnance and selfiesteem, Factors giving rise to low selfiesteem were determined using logistic regression analysis and logistic discriminant analysis. Employment status and qualifications were determined to be the most important factors determining the selfesteem of nurses. The next most important factors were 'a limited number of years of experience (less than five years) ' and 'dissatisfaction with discretion and responsibility as a nurse' (P< O.Ol). Adjusted odds ratio for a reduction in selfesteem for LPN was 4.07 times higher than for UEN, and 2.2 times higher than for RN by logistic regression analysis. LPN are treated as unskilled wotkers, and thus significant differences were apparent in their perfbrmance of certain job tasks. These differences were analyzed using discriminant analysis, and were referred to as fbllows, 1 : Advanced assessment skills, 2 : Advanced technical skills, 3 : Advanced communication skills, and 4 : Nursing plan and documentation (positive discrimination rate was 70.8 %). Job dissatisfaction is closely associated with the level of professional training. Continuous education and a feedback system for various levels of nurses are needed. :selflesteem, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, logistic discriminant analysis.