The importance of social exchange to nurses and nurse assistants: impact on retention factors. (3rd July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trybou, Jeroen; De Pourcq, Kaat; Paeshuyse, Michel; Gemmel, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of nursing management. Volume 22:Number 5(2014)
• Page Start: 563
• Page End: 571
• Publication Date: 2013-07-03
• Subjects: Nursing services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Nursing services -- Business management -- Periodicals; 610.73068
• DOI: 10.1111/jonm.12039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0429

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jonm12039-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jonm12039-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The purpose of this study was to test the norm of reciprocity by examining relationships between perceived organisational support (POS), the quality of leader–member exchange (LMX) and psychological contract breach (PCB) and important nurse retention factors identified in the literature.</p> </sec> <sec id="jonm12039-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>A major cause of turnover among nurses is related to unsatisfying workplaces. Previous research, mainly outside the nursing setting, found that social exchange affects employees' work‐related attitudes.</p> </sec> <sec id="jonm12039-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>A cross‐sectional survey was conducted on 217 nurses and nursing assistants to test and refine a model linking POS, LMX, PCB with job satisfaction, trust and turnover intentions.</p> </sec> <sec id="jonm12039-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Hierarchical multiple linear regression revealed that POS, PCB and LMX explained significant variance in all three retention factors: job satisfaction (adjusted <italic>R</italic>² = 0.502), trust (adjusted <italic>R</italic>² = 0.462) and turnover intentions (adjusted <italic>R</italic>² = 0.196). POS and PCB predicted most strongly job satisfaction (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001) and trust (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001 and <italic>P</italic> < 0.01, respectively). LMX predicted most strongly intention to leave (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01).</p> </sec> <sec id="jonm12039-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>In our study, POS, the quality of LMX and PCB were strongly related to job satisfaction, trust and turnover intentions.</p> </sec> <sec id="jonm12039-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Implications for nursing management</title> <p>Nursing managers and leaders should recognize the importance of social exchange within their organisation to build trust, satisfy and retain scarce nurses and nursing assistants.</p> </sec> </abstract>