The associations of exploration and emotions with commitment strength in novice nurses

Abstract

SUMMARY

Rationale: Stressful experiences in the transition from student to nurse often influence the intention to stay in nursing. This seems to be associated with commitment strength. Exploration and emotions might play, to a different extent in interpersonal and intrapersonal domains, a role in commitment strength. Understanding the influence of exploration and emotion might help in improving the vision of nurses on their profession and increase the likelihood of continuing a career in nursing.

Aim: To assess (1) whether commitment, exploration and emotion scores change over time, (2) the associations of exploration and emotions with commitment strength and (3) the influence of type of work and education on these associations, in interpersonal and intrapersonal domains in novice nurses in a hospital setting.

Methods: A secondary analysis on interview data of eighteen novice nurses was performed. The strength of commitment, exploration and emotions was measured with The Groningen Identity Development Scale Revision. Changes in commitment, exploration and emotions scores were assessed over time with the Friedman Test. Spearman correlations were calculated to assess the associations of exploration and emotions with commitment strength. Differences in correlations in subgroups with different type of work and education were explored.

Results: Most commitment, exploration and emotion scores were not fluctuating over time. For both intrapersonal and interpersonal domains (except within the domain work) we mainly found that positive emotions improved commitment strength whereas negative emotions and exploration decreased commitment strength. We did observe differences in education and work related subgroups but these were fluctuating in directions.

Conclusion: We observed possibly important associations of both positive and negative emotions with commitment strength. This suggests for the domain work that the influence of a positive work environment on the commitment strength of nurses should not be underestimated.