Effects of workplace incivility and empowerment on newly-graduated nurses
organizational commitment
Aim The purpose of the present study was to test an expanded model of Kanters
theory by examining the influence of structural empowerment, psychological
empowerment and workplace incivility on the organizational commitment of
newly-graduated nurses.
Background The early years of practice represent a significant confidence-building
phase for newly-graduated nurses, yet many new nurses are exposed to disempowering
experiences and incivility in the workplace.
Method A predictive non-experimental design was used to examine the impact of
structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and workplace incivility on
the affective commitment of newly-graduated nurses (n = 117) working in acute
care hospitals.
Results Controlling for age, 23.1% of the variance in affective commitment was
explained by structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and workplace
incivility [R2 = 0.231, F5,107 = 6.43, P = 0.000]. Access to opportunity was the
most empowering factor, with access to support and formal power perceived as least
empowering. Perceived co-worker incivility was greater than perceived supervisor
incivility.
Conclusion Results offer significant support for the use of Kanters theory in the
newly-graduated nurse population.
Implications for Nursing Management Without specific strategies in place to combat
incivility and disempowerment in the workplace, attempts to prevent further
organizational attrition of new members may be futile.
Keywords: newly-graduated nurse, organizational commitment, psychological
empowerment, structural empowerment, workplace incivility