Role of Career Satisfaction in Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Career Commitment of Nurses in Nigeria: A Self‐Determination Theory Perspective

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to test how basic psychological needs satisfaction contributes to career commitment through career satisfaction among nurses. Background There is an increasing rate of turnover among nurses and a general shortage of nurses in many countries. This has made it necessary for researchers to focus on the career satisfaction of nurses and their commitment to their careers. Design and Methods A cross‐sectional design was employed in a survey of 233 nurses in public hospitals in southeastern Nigeria. Participants responded to self‐report measures of career commitment, career satisfaction, and work‐related basic needs satisfaction. Findings In the regression‐based path analysis, basic psychological needs satisfaction was positively related to career satisfaction (p < .001) and career commitment (p < .001) of nurses. Career satisfaction was positively related to career commitment (p < .05). Career satisfaction mediated the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career commitment (95% confidence interval [.009, .068]). Conclusions The results show that basic psychological needs are relevant for employee commitment, giving support to the self‐determination theory. Career satisfaction provides further explanations for the relationship between psychological needs satisfaction and career commitment, although there could be reverse causal links. Clinical Relevance The results advance knowledge on how satisfaction of basic psychological needs can increase career satisfaction and foster more career commitment. Designing work environments that help employees to fulfil their basic psychological needs is important in the retention of nurses.

Linking Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitudes to Subjective Career Success: A Serial Mediation Model

“…Supplementary analyses of non-hypothesized possibilities suggested that career satisfaction plays a role in predicting career commitment. This implies that employees who are more satisfied with their careers are more likely to be committed to their careers, corroborating the findings of Onyishi et al (2019).…”

Antecedents and Outcomes of Nurses’ Subjective Career Success: A Path Analysis

“…Heinen et al (2013) reported that nurses with a positive working environment perception had 30% lower ITL the profession. Onyishi, Enwereuzor, Ogbonna, Ugwu, and Amazue (2019) found that nurses’ career satisfaction was positively correlated with career commitment.…”

Striking a Balance between Work and Play: The Effects of Work–Life Interference and Burnout on Faculty Turnover Intentions and Career Satisfaction

“…Career satisfaction is an individual’s evaluation of an organizational/workplace factors (e.g., advancement, development, and income) relative to their own goals, expectations, and accomplishments [ 39 ]. It is an important construct in career success and commitment [ 40 ]. In academia, one key aspect of faculty career satisfaction is the nature of the work itself as it relates to teaching, research, and service obligations [ 41 ].…”