The impact of professional mission on turnover intention among operating room nurses: a chain mediation model analysis of professional identity and job burnout

Abstract

Background and aim: To investigate the chain mediation effect of professional mission, professional identity, and job burnout on the turnover intention among operating room nurses. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey with 744 operating room nurses from 12 hospitals in Shandong Province, China. The study utilized a general information questionnaire, a professional mission scale, a professional identity scale, a job burnout scale, and a turnover intention scale to construct and test a chain mediation model. Results: Professional mission significantly influenced turnover intention through professional identity and job burnout, with a total indirect effect of -0.174. The chain mediation effect of professional identity and job burnout was -0.028, accounting for 16.90% of the total indirect effect. Conclusion: The multiple mediation effects of professional identity and job burnout between professional mission and turnover intention were validated. Nursing managers should focus on enhancing nurses’ professional mission, improving their professional identity, and reducing job burnout to decrease turnover intention among operating room nurses.