Transformation of Organizational Commitment During the Early Career Development of Nurses

Abstract

〔Purpose〕 The study aimed to examine changes in organizational commitment during the first three years after joining the organization, and to ascertain the association between organizational commitment and individual mental state, which are considered important to career development.

〔Method〕 Questionnaires were distributed, once a year, to 329 newly-graduated nurses at eight hospitals in the Kanto Koushinetsu area once a year for three years.

Organization adaptation and psychological conditions were measured by the organization commitment scale, self-efficacy scale, locus of control scale.

〔Result and Discussion〕 Scores on organizational commitment, self-efficacy, and locus of control for each year, and their changes over time. Scores decreased significantly from Year 1 to Year 3, but only in the overall organizational commitment score and that on the purpose subscale. The result showed significantly higher self-efficacy and locus of control scores in the high rather than the low organizational commitment group in Year 1 (p<.01). In Year 2, the high organizational commitment group exhibited a significantly higher score only on self-efficacy (p<.01). Furthermore, in Year 3, similar to Year 1, the high organizational commitment group exhibited significantly higher scores on self-efficacy and locus of control as compared to the low organizational commitment group (p<.01). The self-efficacy scores tended to increase from Year 1 to Year 3, and the locus of control scores decreased significantly from Year 1 to Year 3. This demonstrates a tendency in which confidence and conviction are gradually reinforced as one gains more experience as a nurse, as well as that in which the criteria of judgment rely more on external factors. Thus, while nurses gain confidence, they are not yet capable of autonomous judgment. Self-efficacy is considered beneficial for overcoming the period of suffering and difficulties during the transitional phase of one’s career. Then nurses feel confused by the various professional experiences right after joining the organization, and we must examine in detail what types of experiences are helpful to them.