Perceived organisational support, organisational commitment and self-competence among nurses: a study in two Italian hospitals

J Nurs Manag. 2016 Jan;24(1):E44-53. doi: 10.1111/jonm.12287. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the contributions of perceived organisational support (POS) and organisational commitment (i.e. affective, continuance and normative) to self-competence among nurses.

Background: In high-POS environments, workers benefit from socio-emotional resources to improve their skills, while positive forms of commitment (e.g. affective commitment) create a fertile context for developing one's competencies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the nursing staff of two Italian urban hospitals (hospital A, n = 160; hospital B, n = 192). A structured questionnaire was administered individually to the nurses. Data analysis was conducted through multi-group analysis and supplemented by a bootstrapping approach.

Results: The results showed that POS was positively related to self-competence through affective commitment. In contrast, continuance and normative commitment did not mediate this relationship.

Conclusions: This study shows that supporting employees through caring about their well-being as well as fostering positive forms of organisational commitment increases nurses' self-competence.

Implications for nursing management: Nurse managers may increase support perceptions and commitment among their staff by rewarding their contributions and caring about their well-being, as well as concentrating on training strategies that improve work-related skills.

Keywords: affective; continuance; normative commitment; perceived organisational support; self-competence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Competence / standards*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Nurses / statistics & numerical data
  • Organizational Culture*
  • Perception*
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires