Developing a prediction model of career plateau for nurses: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Career Development
• Organizational Psychology
• Healthcare Workforce Studies

Background:

• Career plateaus are a recognized phenomenon affecting professional longevity and job satisfaction.
• Understanding the specific factors contributing to career plateaus in nursing is crucial for retention and workforce planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of career plateaus among nurses.
• To develop a predictive model for identifying nurses at risk of experiencing a career plateau.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 2680 nurses across six tertiary hospitals.
• Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify key predictors and construct a prediction model.

Main Results:

• The incidence of career plateau among nurses was found to be 34%.
• Significant influencing factors included age, position, specialization, life satisfaction, organizational support, personal ability, and selection tendency.
• The prediction model indicated older age, high personal ability, and low job valuation as predictors of career plateau.

Conclusions:

• Interventions focused on enhancing promotion prospects, learning opportunities, life satisfaction, and organizational support can mitigate career plateau occurrence in nurses.
• The developed model provides a tool for proactive identification and management of nurses at risk of career plateau.