Effect of the Nursing Work Environment on Turnover Intention: Serial Mediation Effects of Career Motivation and Job Satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated whether the work environment affects nurses' turnover intention with career motivation and job satisfaction acting as mediating factors. Methods: Data were collected from January 6-25, 2022, using a cross-sectional design. The participants were 205 nurses who had worked for more than six months at four small-to-medium-sized general hospitals in South Korea. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, Scheffé test, and mediation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro Model 6. Results: The nursing work environment had a significant positive association with career motivation and job satisfaction and negative effects on nurses' turnover intention. The single mediating effect of job satisfaction and the serial mediation effects of career motivation and job satisfaction on the relationship between the nursing work environment and turnover intention were significant. Thus, nurses' positive perceptions of the work environment strengthened career motivation, which in turn increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover intention. Conclusion: Providing a healthy work environment to nurses can help reduce their turnover intention. Therefore, the government and hospitals should implement human resource strategies to improve nursing work environments and take steps to enhance career motivation and job satisfaction to strengthen nurse retention.