Job dissatisfaction among nurses makes our health care more expensive and less safe. This meta-analysis reported higher job dissatisfaction in nurses directly caring for patients in hospitals/nursing homes than among nurses working in other jobs (i.e. pharmaceutical industry). Strikingly, nurses are particularly dissatisfied with their health benefits, which highlights the need for a benefits review. A strong association between patient satisfaction levels and average burnout levels of nurses. To improve or maintain quality of care, we must improve job satisfaction of nurses in care settings.