The Impact of Nursing Leader's Behavioral Integrity and Intragroup Relationship Conflict on Staff Nurses' Intention to Remain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study tested a multilevel model examining the effect of nursing leader's behavioral integrity and intragroup relationship conflict on staff nurses' intent to remain. BACKGROUND In the challenging situation of nursing shortage, nurse executives are required to focus on the retention of nurses. No previous studies have examined the impact of nursing leader's behavioral integrity and intragroup relationship conflict on nurses' intention to remain. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 480 RNs in 34 nursing units of a large public hospital in South Korea was conducted to test the hypothesized multilevel model. RESULTS Nursing leader's behavioral integrity was positively related to nurses' intention to remain (b = 0.34, P < .001). This relationship was enhanced when the level of intragroup relationship conflict was high (b = 0.21, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Nursing leaders assigned to units with a high level of intragroup relationship conflict should endeavor to maintain their behavioral integrity to promote nurses' intention to remain.