Assessment of organizational commitment among nurses in a major public hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: Nurses play a vital role in the provision of healthcare internationally. The level of organizational commitment of healthcare workers, including nurses, is closely connected to the productivity and quality of care provided by healthcare institutions. The aims of the present study were to explore nurses’ levels of organizational commitment and the impact of key sociodemographic variables on this issue. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study was conducted at a major public hospital in Saudi Arabia during April and May 2019. A revised validated version of the three-component model (TCM) questionnaire was self-administered to a systematic random sample of 384 nurses. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Mean scores were compared by independent variables using an independent sample t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results: Out of 384 participants, 337 responded, yielding a response rate of 88%. Overall, 47.88% of the nurses agreed with all items related to the organizational commitment scale, while only 22.3% disagreed. There was a significant difference in the levels of commitment among nurses in the various age groups (p = 0.024). The continuous commitment subscale received the largest number of positive responses. Conclusion: Most nurses showed a moderate level of job commitment. Greater organizational commitment was positively related to sociodemographic variables, such as age and nationality, and the only positive predictor of overall organizational commitment was age. Nursing policy makers should enhance the organizational commitment of nurses by developing strategies to recruit, attract, and retain committed nurses.