Role of patient safety attitudes between career identity and turnover intentions of new nurses in China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPatient safety is a key priority for healthcare systems, which is not only about the safety and quality development of health care but also about the safety of patients' lives. However, there has been little research exploring the relationship between new nurses' willingness to leave, patient safety culture, and professional identity. This study was to explore patient safety for new nurses, examine the relationship between professional identity, patient safety culture, and turnover intentions of newly recruited nurses in China, and validate the mediating role of patient safety culture.MethodsFrom August 2019 to September 2021, we collected data from newly recruited nurses in 5 large tertiary public hospitals in Anhui Province, China using a questionnaire survey. Descriptive analysis, a univariate analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and mediated regression analysis were used to estimate the current status of patient safety attitudes and the effect of safety culture on career identity and turnover intentions among newly recruited nurses.ResultsThe turnover intention of 816 newly recruited nurses was 14.16 ± 3.14%. Patient safety culture was positively associated with career identity (r = 0.516, P < 0.01) and negatively associated with turnover intentions (r = −0.437, P < 0.01), while patient safety was also a partial mediator between career identity and turnover intentions.ConclusionsThe results showed that the low patient safety attitudes of new nurses in China should not be ignored. The impact of professional identity on patient safety has important practical implications for promoting a culture of safety among new nurses and reducing turnover rates.

Professional identity, job satisfaction, and turnover intention among Chinese novice nurses: A cross-sectional study

“…In the present study, the correlation between professional identity and turnover intention ( r = −0.459) was stronger than that observed by Hu et al [26] ( r = −0.342) and Zhang et al [39] ( r = −0.09). Moreover, the correlation between job satisfaction and turnover intention ( r = −0.517) was stronger than in Huet al [26] study ( r = −0.501) and Zhang et al [39] study ( r = −0.460). These conflicting results may be due to the use of different measurement tools.…”

“…This finding is consistent with the results of Sabanciogullari and Dogan [14] and Huet al [26] among nurses. A similar finding was also reported by Zhang et al [42] involving 3236 general practitioners, and Zhang et al [39] study with 1244 village public health service providers. In the present study, the correlation between professional identity and turnover intention ( r = −0.459) was stronger than that observed by Hu et al [26] ( r = −0.342) and Zhang et al [39] ( r = −0.09).…”

“…A similar finding was also reported by Zhang et al [42] involving 3236 general practitioners, and Zhang et al [39] study with 1244 village public health service providers. In the present study, the correlation between professional identity and turnover intention ( r = −0.459) was stronger than that observed by Hu et al [26] ( r = −0.342) and Zhang et al [39] ( r = −0.09). Moreover, the correlation between job satisfaction and turnover intention ( r = −0.517) was stronger than in Huet al [26] study ( r = −0.501) and Zhang et al [39] study ( r = −0.460).…”

“…[14,38] A series of studies has shown that turnover intention is influenced by professional identity and job satisfaction. [26,30,39,40] Related studies involving correlations between professional identity, job satisfaction, and turnover intention were conducted among health workers; [14,26,41,42] however, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined this situation in the context of novice nurses. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between professional identity, job satisfaction, and turnover intention among novice nurses in China.…”

The psychological capital questionnaire for newly licensed nurses: A validity and reliability study

“…The early stage of entry is a critical period for the formation of nurses' work concept and professional ability. Newly licensed nurses may face greater work pressure and are prone to psychological problems such as burnout and affect their career stability during this stage [19,20]. The psychological capital is closely related to the career of nurses and the development, cultivation and promotion of psychological capital of newly licensed nurses will promote their good career growth.…”