Practice environment, psychological flexibility, and their association with career adaptability in junior nurses: A cross-sectional study

Background Career adaptability is a pivotal factor influencing nurses' well-being and professional performance. This study aims to explore the relationships between the practice environment, psychological flexibility, and career adaptability among junior nurses, with the goal of informing strategies to enhance adaptability and mitigate turnover. Methods A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted across four hospitals in China, utilizing an online-based survey, recruiting junior nurses between February to October 2023. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Career Adapt-Abilities Scale, Practice Environment Scale and Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with career adaptability. Results A total of 825 valid responses were analyzed. The total score for the junior nurses’ career adaptability was (89.04±16.11), the career adaptability of junior nurses were at a moderate level. Higher career adaptability was observed among junior nurses with junior college education, regular employment status, first-year work experience, day-shift pattern, fewer than four times of monthly night shift, and less than 10 hours of weekly overtime. Spearman correlation analysis showed that practice environment(r=0.506), psychological flexibility(r=0.220) were all correlated with the career adaptability of junior nurses(all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that practice environment and psychological flexibility influenced career adaptability in junior nurses(all P<0.05). Conclusions The practice environment and psychological flexibility are critical determinants of career adaptability in junior nurses. Nurse managers should prioritize fostering a supportive practice environment and implementing psychological training programs to improve psychological flexibility and career adaptability among junior nurses, thereby addressing workforce retention challenges.