Relationship between Types of Role Conflict and Turnover Intention in Nurses Working at Rehabilitation Hospitals

Kim, Bo Young; Lee, Joo yun

Abstract

PURPOSE
Nurses working at rehabilitation hospitals play an important role in interdisciplinary teams. However, conflicts with others within the teams are common. This study (1) explored the frequency and seriousness of role conflicts and determined the relationship between turnover intention and type of role conflict among nurses in rehabilitation hospitals and (2) investigated differences in turnover intention by the type of role conflict.
METHODS
Data were collected from 110 nurses in two rehabilitation hospitals. A survey was performed to measure role conflicts including conflicts regarding nursing practice, and conflicts with staff nurses, patients/guardians, staffs in other departments, and doctors. Also, nurses' turnover intentions were evaluated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cluster analysis.
RESULTS
The most common and serious conflicts were developed with patients/guardians, followed by conflicts related to nursing practice. Conflicts in relation to nurses' roles were classified into four categories: "˜High conflict type', "˜High frequency of conflict type', "˜High seriousness of conflict type', and "˜Low conflict type'. The level of turnover intention was increased in this order.
CONCLUSION
To decrease rehabilitation nurses' intentions to leave a hospital, it is important to reduce role conflicts by providing tailored interventions for each type of conflict and to improve the organizational interrelationship process.