Determining the Effects of Past Negative Experiences Involving Patient Care

As the cost of healthcare continues to raise, the need to address nurse attrition, which is a contributing factor, also rises. While there are various factors that influence nurses’ decision to leave or stay, job satisfaction and ethical climate are significant variables. This study examined the effects of negative previous work experiences on job satisfaction and ethical climate. The results showed previous work experiences moderated both job satisfaction and ethical climate. In addition, ethical climate mediated the effects of previous experiences on job satisfaction. The implications include identifying nurses who may have had negative experiences prior to their current employment and providing them with ongoing support