Aim: To examine whether supportive supervisor (transformational leadership) and coworker (autonomy-supportive) behaviours predict occupational commitment and turnover intention over time through autonomous motivation.
Background: Nurse turnover is a serious issue in several countries, straining the efficiency of the healthcare system and compromising both the quality and accessibility of healthcare.
Method: Longitudinal data were collected over 12 months from 387 French-Canadian registered nurses. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model.
Results: The relationships between predictors at Time 1 (supervisor and coworker behaviours) and occupational commitment and turnover intention at Time 2 are mediated by autonomous motivation at Time 1.
Conclusion: In times of global scarcity, the present findings provide insights into how the healthcare work environment acts on nurses' occupational turnover and commitment.
Implications for nursing management: Healthcare organizations are advised to foster supportive work environments and promote autonomous motivation to sustain the nursing workforce.
Keywords: autonomous motivation; autonomy support; nurse turnover and retention; occupational commitment; transformational leadership.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.