Workplace Adaptation Behavior and State Scales for New Nurses:

Testing for Reliability and Validity

Abstract

Objective: This study tested the reliability and validity of a workplace-adaption behavior scale and a workplace-adaption state scale for new nurses during the student-to-nurse transition period. Methods: We administered an anonymous, self-report questionnaire survey to 1,284 new nurses regarding 82 proposed workplace-adaption behavior scale items and 51 proposed workplace-adaption state scale items. The items had been qualitatively and inductively extracted and tested for face validity and content validity in previous research. Results: There were 335 respondents (response rate: 26.1%). The exploratory factor analysis returned five factors and 34 items for the workplace-adaption behavior scale and four factors and 26 items for the workplace-adaption state scale. The study also tested for internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha; criterion-related validity using a job satisfaction measurement scale; and stability using the test–retest method. Conclusions: This study found the new nurse workplace-adaption behavior and state scales to be reliable and valid.