The impact of precarious employment on the commitment of registered nurses

Marja Hult; Marjo Ring

doi:10.1111/inr.12945

The impact of precarious employment on the commitment of registered nurses

Int Nurs Rev. 2024 Mar 4. doi: 10.1111/inr.12945. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Marja Hult¹, Marjo Ring²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sustainable well-being, South-Eastern University of Applied Sciences, Mikkeli, Finland.
² Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.

PMID: 38436482
DOI: 10.1111/inr.12945

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the association between precarious employment and commitment among registered nurses.

Background: The nursing profession faces numerous challenges, and precarious employment (PE) has emerged as a significant issue affecting nurses' well-being and professional status.

Methods: In spring 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey involving members of a healthcare workers' trade union in Finland. The study encompassed data from 2,370 registered nurses representing various healthcare sectors nationwide. Regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between PE and nurses' commitment. STROBE guidelines were used to report the study.

Results: The modified PE scale demonstrated a good fit. Among the various dimensions of PE, nurses perceived the highest level of precariousness in terms of inadequate training opportunities, followed by unpredictable and nonstandard working hours, low wages, and disempowerment. Vulnerability arising from authoritarian management exhibited the most significant and negative association with nurses' commitment (B = -0.233).

Discussion: The findings of this study underscore that PE is a pressing concern within the nursing profession, and it has a detrimental impact on nurses' commitment. While precariousness in nursing is associated with issues related to empowerment and fair leadership, it appears that conventional challenges related to working hours, typical of the nursing profession, do not significantly affect nurses' commitment.

Implications for nursing and nursing policy: To enhance nurses' commitment, healthcare institutions and managers must actively promote leadership practices that empower and support employees. Also, employees' legal work-related rights have to be respected in organizations. Addressing these aspects can contribute to a more resilient and dedicated nursing workforce.

Keywords: Commitment; Finland; employment quality; precarious employment; registered nurses; survey.

Grants and funding

220156/Finnish Work Environment Fund