Abstract

Background

Career adaptability is a pivotal factor influencing nurses' well-being and professional performance. This study explored the relationships between practice environment, psychological flexibility, and career adaptability among junior nurses, with the goal of informing strategies to enhance adaptability and mitigate turnover.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study across four hospitals in China. An online-based survey was used to recruit junior nurses from February to October 2023. Data was collected using a general information questionnaire, the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale, the Practice Environment Scale, and the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with career adaptability. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation, and hierarchical regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 810 valid responses were analyzed. The total score for junior nurses’ career adaptability was 77.28 ± 19.71, indicating a low level of adaptability. Higher career adaptability was observed among female junior nurses, and junior nurses with postgraduate education, married marital status, four-year work experience, day-shift pattern, monthly income ≥ 10001 yuan. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that both practice environment (r = 0.260) and psychological flexibility (r = 0.590) correlated significantly with the career adaptability of junior nurses (all P < 0.001). The regression model indicated that both practice environment and psychological flexibility influenced career adaptability in this population (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Practice environment and psychological flexibility are critical determinants of career adaptability among junior nurses. Nurse managers should prioritize fostering a supportive practice environment and implementing psychological training programs to improve psychological flexibility and career adaptability among junior nurses, thereby addressing workforce retention challenges.

Implications for Nursing Management

Nurse managers should create a supportive practice environment and provide psychological training to enhance psychological flexibility in junior nurses and improve their career adaptability, thus reducing staff turnover.

Keywords: Junior nurses, Career adaptability, Practice environment, Psychological flexibility, Nursing management