Social Support, Religious Endorsement, and Career Commitment: A Study on Saudi Nurses

Abstract

The present study investigates the effect of perceived social support (PSS) and perceived religious endorsement (PRE) on career commitment (CC) of Saudi nurses. The investigation also extends to the moderating role of different demographic and organizational factors in the extent of PSS, and career commitment these nurses report. Data required for meeting these study objectives were collected from male and female Saudi nurses through a structured questionnaire. Multiple regressions using Partial Least Squares based Structural Equation Model, Smart-PLS version 3.0, and independent sample t-test using SPSS version 22.0, were used to analyze data. The study findings reveal that both perceived social support and perceived religious endorsement are important antecedents of career commitment of Saudi nurses. However, private-sector nurses are found to exhibit a significantly higher level of career commitment compared to their public-sector counterparts. Nurses with greater educational attainment perceive higher level of social support and express greater career commitment than their less educated peers. These findings suggest that nursing as a profession should be more openly discussed in both secular and religious contexts, to ensure an adequate level of respect and compassion on behalf of the public. In particular, endorsement from the individual nurses’ social networks is vital in maintaining their wellbeing and career commitment. Given the religious influence in all aspects of life in the Saudi society, the current practice of gender-based segregation in Saudi hospitals and clinics seems to be meaningful for sustaining the career commitment of the nurses.

Career commitment and career entrenchment among Primary Health Care workers

“…High levels of Career commitment show that despite difficulties, the workers have a positive relationship with their professions and find meaning in their practice within PHC services. These results are in line with international studies addressing nonmedical workers from the Council of Academic Family Medicine in the United States and Canada (12) , and Egyptian (13) , and Saudis nurses (24) . However, these levels are higher than those presented by Brazilian nurses working in hospital facilities (7) .…”

Career‐Related Parental Support, Vocational Identity, and Career Adaptability: Interrelationships and Gender Differences

“…Several studies have found positive associations between parental support and students' career development (P. Guan et al, 2016; Y. Guan et al, 2015; Merino‐Tejedor et al, 2016; Negru‐Subtirica et al, 2015; Tian & Fan, 2014; Zhang et al, 2015). For example, the more support given from family, the better children's career commitment (Azim & Islam, 2018), career exploration (Dietrich & Kracke, 2009; Dietrich et al, 2011), and career adaptability (P. Guan et al, 2016; Hirschi, 2009). Even given previous research on the topic, there remains a lack of a thorough understanding of the effect of career‐related parental support on vocational identity and career adaptability.…”

The Impacts of the High-Quality Workplace Relationships on Job Performance: A Perspective on Staff Nurses in Vietnam

“…There is a variety of previous studies showing that a high-quality leader–member exchange maintains organizational commitment [35,36,37,38,39]. Azim and Islam [40] stated that perceived social support, which includes informational and instrumental support from others in networking, is an antecedent of nurses’ commitment in Saudi Arabia. However, private nurses exhibited a higher level of commitment than nurses working in the public sector.…”