Relationship between Ethical Climate, Workplace Bullying, and Turnover Intention of Hospital Nurses in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between' perceived ethical climate, workplace bullying, and turnover intention among hospital nurses. Methods: This study was conducted with 190 full-time nurses working in hospitals in Korea as participants. Data were collected from online communities using Google Docs from July 22 to July 25, 2022. Results: Average values were as follows: ethical climate was 3.79±0.60, workplace bullying was 2.31±0.77, and turnover intention was 3.79±0.60. While turnover intention had no correlation with ethical climate, it had a positive relationship with workplace bullying. Workplace bullying was influenced by verbal aggression (β=.48, p=.001), inappropriate task assignment (β=.26, p=.006), monthly salary (β=.18, p=.001), and working department (β=-.13, p=.012). These four variables may explain 60.0% of hospital nurses' turnover intention. Conclusion: To prevent turnover of hospital nurses, nursing managers should establish nursing career development programs to ensure adequate retention of experienced nurses. The need to provide nurses with communication skills training to prevent verbal attacks and bullying in the workplace has been identified.