Job Satisfaction and Negative Coping Style Affect the Relationship between Transition Shock and Intent to Stay among Newly Graduated Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim. The study is aimed at exploring the relationship between newly graduated nurses’ transition shock, negative coping, job satisfaction, and intent to stay during the time of COVID-19. Background. The shortage of nurses is a global dilemma aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a hot topic in recent years to help newly graduated nurses transition smoothly. Transition shock is one of the essential indicators to describe the transition state of newly graduated nurses, which has a far-reaching impact on the intention of newly graduated nurses to stay in their posts. However, few studies have studied the mechanism behind this relationship, which may affect the effectiveness of retention strategies. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2021 in 31 tertiary hospitals in Shanghai, China. Participants comprised a convenience sample of 759 newly graduated nurses for surveys. Structural equation models were used to examine the study’s hypothetical model. Results. The results showed that transition shock had a significant direct effect on job satisfaction (b = −0.412, $p<0.001$ ) and intent to stay (b = −0.145, $p<0.001$ ). Job satisfaction had a significant direct effect on intent to stay (b = 0.702, $p<0.001$ ). The indirect effect of transition shock on intent to stay through job satisfaction was statistically significant (b = −0.289), the 95% C.I. was (−0.493, −0.357), and the proportion of mediating effect to total effect was 66.59%. Moreover, the moderated mediation analysis showed that the interaction effect of transition shock and negative coping style on job satisfaction was significant (b = −0.082, $p<0.001$ ). Conclusion. This study revealed the impact of transition shock on intent to stay of newly graduated nurses during the time of COVID-19, and found that job satisfaction played a mediating role and negative coping played a moderating role. These findings are of great significance for nursing managers to take measures to improve the intention of newly graduated nurses to stay. Implication for Nursing Management. The level of transition shock is an important indicator reflecting the transition state of newly graduated nurses, and can further predict the job satisfaction and intention of newly graduated nurses to stay. Therefore, nursing managers should pay attention to taking corresponding measures to reduce the level of transition shock of newly graduated nurses.