Related Factors of Turnover Intention Among Pediatric Nurses in Mainland China: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Pediatric nurses are at high risk for turnover. Turnover intention strongly predicts the actual voluntary turnover. Currently, no nationwide study has examined turnover intention among pediatric nurses in mainland China since the universal two-child policy implementation. Related factors associated with pediatric nurse turnover intention have not yet been identified. This study aims to understand factors related to turnover intention among pediatric nurses in mainland China.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional on-line questionnaire survey was conducted among 6673 pediatric nurses across mainland China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between job satisfaction, work stress, job burnout, organizational commitment, work-family support and turnover intention.

Results: Six hundred and sixty-three (9.93%) nurses reported high turnover intention. Work stress and job burnout were directly and indirectly associated with turnover intention positively. Job satisfaction was related to turnover intention negatively with both direct effect and indirect effect through the mediations of job burnout and organizational commitment. Organizational commitment had a negative direct effect on turnover intention. Work-family support had indirect effects on turnover intention through the mediating role of burnout, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment.

Conclusion: Turnover intention among pediatric nurses was associated with job satisfaction, work stress, job burnout, organizational commitment and work-family support.

Practice implications: Attention to pediatric nurses' job burnout and work stress is important to improve job satisfaction and organizational commitment and to provide them with support in order to alleviate the turnover intention.

Keywords: Job burnout; Job satisfaction; Organizational commitment; Turnover intention; Work stress.