Current status and influencing factors of role clarity among junior nurses in tertiary hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Aim This study aim to explore the current situation of role clarity of junior nurses and the study of influencing factors. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional online study was conducted during April 2024 - May 2024, targeting 499 junior nurses working in six tertiary hospitals, Hunan Province, China. Data collection was conducted employing a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Compulsory Citizenship Behavior Scale, and the Role Clarity Scale. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS 25.0, incorporating descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results The junior nurses' role clarity score (31.13 ± 5.32) and compulsory citizenship behavior score (15.13 ± 4.01). Role clarity was negatively correlated with compulsory citizenship behavior ( r = -0.132, P < 0.05), and multiple linear regression analysis showed that number of external training sessions the near 3 month, whether they have suffered from workplace violence the near month, baseline education, and their compulsory citizenship behavior were the influencing factors of role clarity for junior nurses (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Junior nurses exhibited the upper level overall of role clarity and the lower level overall compulsory citizenship behavior. Additionally, the role clarity was negatively correlated with the compulsory citizenship behavior. The main factors affecting the role clarity of junior nurses are number of external training sessions the near 3 month, whether they have suffered from workplace violence the near month, baseline education, and compulsory citizenship behavior. Recamendation To mitigate compulsory citizenship behavior (CCB) and enhance role clarity among junior nurses, nursing managers should adopt proactive management strategies—such as reducing rigid policies and improving transparent communication—can minimize coercive pressures and also integrating burnout prevention measures, including workload monitoring and stress management, ensures sustainable role clarity.