Relationships of Workplace Bullying to Self-esteem and Turnover Intention among Clinical Nurses at Small and Medium-sized Hospitals

Choi, So Eun; Lee, Sam Sun; Kim, Sang Dol

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to assess the prevalence of workplace bullying and the relationship workplace bullying to self-esteem and turnover intention among clinical nurses.
METHODS
The subjects were 223 clinical nurses at 3 small and medium-sized hospitals in K and B cities. The data were collected from February 1st throughout 28th, 2013. The collected data were analyzed using the SAS program through the frequency, percentage, mean, and Pearson's correlation coefficients.
RESULTS
The rate of self-reported bullying in the nursing workplace was 24.6% of respondents. There was a negative correlation between workplace bullying and self-esteem (r=-.39, p<.001). Also there was a positive correlation between workplace bullying and turnover intention (r=.14, p=.031).
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of self-reported bullying is high among small and medium-sized hospitals and is clearly associated with lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of turnover intention. Therefore, an organizational nursing management program as a monitoring regularly the psychosocial work environment and policies and procedures to prevent and manage workplace bullying is strongly recommended for the promotion of self-esteem and reducing the nurse's intention to leave the organization.