Emotional intelligence and the socialization of new graduate nurses during a preceptorship program
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The literature on new graduate nurses is reflecting concern with turnover rates within the first two years of practice ranging from 13% to 61.5% (Kovner et al., 2007; Lavoie- Tremblay et al., 2008). The under preparation of and lack of support for new graduate nurses during their early work experiences are often reported reasons for these high turnover rates. Preceptorship programs, as a method of organizational socialization, have been implemented to specifically address the challenges faced by new nurses. Research suggests that the social elements of socialization, such as working closely with a more senior colleague, has a great impact on new employee outcomes. Although the literature identifies that preceptors, who are acting as socialization agents, are important to the process of new employee socialization, little is known about this relationship, particularly the individual differences of the preceptor. One such individual difference is emotional intelligence (EI). The literature on EI suggests that it may play a role in the work environment and in predicting work-related outcomes. Preceptors are aptly situated to have a direct impact on new nurses. Thus, the focus of this study was to explore the impact of preceptors’ EI on new graduate nurses’ socialization during a preceptorship program and was guided by Van Maanen and Schein’s Theory of Organizational Socialization (1979). A multi-site cross-sectional design was used to examine the proposed relationships between a preceptor’s EI and new graduate nurses’ socialization outcomes. A sample of 51 dyads of new graduate nurses and their primary preceptor participated in this study. New graduate nurses in this study experienced low role ambiguity, role conflict and turnover intent and high job satisfaction. New nurses’ job satisfaction was associated with their role conflict and ambiguity. The proposed hypotheses about the relationships between preceptors’ EI and new nurses’ transition outcomes were not supported in this sample. The results provide some insight into how these new graduate nurses are adjusting to their role at the end of a preceptorship program. Additionally, the results provide a greater understanding of three preceptor characteristics that have not yet been studied: EI, personality and cognitive intelligence.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Michelle Lalonde
Language: English
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2606143910