Brooks, I. and Swailes, S. (2002) Analysis of the relationship between nurse influences over flexible working and commitment to nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 38(2), pp. 117-126. 1365-2648.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Background. The paper explores the theoretical and practical bases of both commitment and control within the context of temporal aspects of flexible working in nursing. Aim. The aims of the paper are to examine the relationships between nurses' shift patterns, influence over shift pattern and realization of shift preference and commitment to nursing. Methods. Data were collected through a postal questionnaire completed by 2987 British nurses employed in hospitals, care homes and hospices. Principal components analysis was used to identify common factors among responses to a series of 33 statements about working life. Data were analysed using ANOVA and multiple regression techniques. Results. Permanent night shift nurses reported lower levels of commitment to nursing. As predicted, influence over shift patterns and realization of preferred shift pattern were positively associated with commitment to nursing, although the relationship was weak. Positive perceptions of career development opportunities were a stronger predictor of commitment to nursing. Results are discussed in light of previous ethnographic research on nurses' shift patterns. Conclusion. The opportunity to explore quantitatively the effects of shift-related decisions on commitment using a large sample is useful. While influence and shift type were predictors of commitment, the positive impact they were expected to have was smaller than expected. Similarly, the negative effects of not having influence or of working permanent night shifts were smaller than expected and the statistical significance of such small effects relies heavily on the large sample obtained. Other variables, particularly career development prospects, outweigh the influence of shift-related variables on commitment. The research gives a clear message to human resource managers involved with nurse management: so long as nurses have a strong perception of career development potential the otherwise negative influences of shift impact can be minimized. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | shift work, professional commitment, career development, night shift, nursing, choice, human resource management |
| Subjects: |
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD4801 Labor. Work. Working class > HD5106 Hours of labor R Medicine > RT Nursing > RT82 Nurse practitioners |
| Creators: | Brooks, Ian and Swailes, Stephen |
| Publisher: | Blackwell Publishing |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: | University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Business & Law |
| Date: | 1 April 2002 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 117-126 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Advanced Nursing |
| Volume: | 38 |
| Number: | 2 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2002.02155.x |
| ISSN: | 1365-2648 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/83 |
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