Psychological contracts of hospice nurses

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Nursing Studies

Background:

• UK hospices face economic pressures, requiring a shift towards business efficiencies.
• This transition may conflict with hospice nurses' philosophical healthcare values.
• Understanding nurses' psychological contracts is crucial for managing this change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the context and content of psychological contracts among UK hospice nurses.
• To identify antecedents of hospice nurses' behavior and contract formation.
• To inform strategies for supporting nurses during organizational transitions.

Main Methods:

• A modified grounded theory approach was employed.
• In-depth interviews were conducted with hospice nurses in the UK.
• Qualitative data analysis focused on emergent themes.

Main Results:

• Four primary themes emerged: types of psychological contracts, formation processes, contract content, and perceived breaches/violations.
• Nurses' beliefs about employer and employee obligations were explored.
• The study identified potential conflicts arising from the business model shift.

Conclusions:

• Understanding psychological contracts is vital for supporting hospice nurses through organizational changes.
• Addressing perceived breaches and violations can mitigate negative outcomes like staff turnover.
• This research provides a foundation for developing targeted support interventions in hospice settings.