Effects of shift discrepancy on turnover intention and performance level of nurses in Singapore

• Main Authors: Ang, Cheng Leng, Kong, Chee Heng, Lee, Sze Liang
• Other Authors: Nanyang Business School
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business::Accounting
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51440
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Labour shortage is inevitable in any expanding economy and Singapore's economy has been growing steadily. Recently, the Ministry of Health has highlighted that there is a shortage of labour in the nursing profession. Studies by health administrators have shown that labour shortage was due to the high turnover caused by shiftwork. In this study, we hope to look at how shift discrepancy affects the turnover intention and performance level of nurses. The research focuses on a case study of a hospital. It also includes an extensive literature review from which we have proposed two models for this study. Data was gathered through questionnaires sessions, conducted personally by us to ensure anonymity. The analysis of data is done by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. From the results, the models are revised and managerial implications are discussed. In the first model, stress is found to the main determinant for turnover intention in nurses. Stress also affects organisational commitment, which in turn leads to turnover intention. Shift discrepancy is found to contribute to turnover intention through stress. For the second model, shift discrepancy is found to interfere with nurses' personal lives, thus affecting their leisure satisfaction, job satisfaction and schedule satisfaction, thereby leading to burnout and eventually performance level. The research also establishes relationships between professional commitment, professional image and turnover intention. Recommendations and improvements to the current study have been suggested and further research is proposed to pursue some of the interesting results that we have achieved.