Developing scale for colleague solidarity among nurses in Turkey

Abstract

There is a need for an appropriate instrument to measure colleague solidarity among nurses. This study was carried out to develop a Colleague Solidarity of Nurses' Scale (CSNS). This study was planned to be descriptive and methodological. The CSNS examined content validity, construct validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency reliability. The trial form of the CSNS, which was composed of 44 items, was given to 200 nurses, followed by validity and reliability analyses. Following the analyses, 21 items were excluded from the scale, leaving an attitude scale made up of 23 items. Factor analysis of the data showed that the scale has a three sub-factor structure: emotional solidarity, academic solidarity and negative opinions about solidarity. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the whole scale was 0.80. This study provides evidence that the CSNS possesses robust solidarity among nurses.

The effect of collegial solidarity among nurses on the organizational climate

“…; Gao et al. ; Uslusoy & Alpar ,b; Uslusoy et al. ), but the authors of the present study found no research that reveals the influence of collegial solidarity among the nurses on the institution's organizational climate.…”

“…A study stated that the interdependence among colleagues increases productivity by protecting the institution from destructive and undesirable behaviours and by creating effective coordination, harmony and positive working environment among colleagues (Uslusoy & Alpar ). Particularly in cases of difficulties or problems with work‐related matters, workers take suggestions from their managers or colleagues to apply those persons’ knowledge, opinions, experience and assistance; further, workers can easily share their thoughts with their colleagues.…”

“…The higher the score, the higher the level of solidarity of nurses with their colleagues. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.72 and, in the subscales, ranged from 0.63 to 0.80 (Uslusoy & Alpar ); the total Cronbach's alpha coefficient of this scale was 0.88 and in the subscales, it ranged from 0.66 to 0.85.…”

“…The CSNS was developed by Uslusoy & Alpar () to measure the solidarity between nurses; it was tested for reliability and validity in Turkish. The questionnaire, which was responded to within approximately 10 min, has a 5‐point Likert scale (always‐5, often‐4, sometimes‐3, rarely‐2, never‐1) consisted of 23 questions and three subscales (emotional solidarity, academic solidarity and negative thoughts about solidarity).…”

“…This is because they think that their colleagues will be able to understand them better than other acquaintances, especially in problems related to their mutual profession. Colleagues tend to be more supportive and helpful in facing problems, they in a position to feel a deeper solidarity with each other as compared with that felt by other people (Uslusoy & Alpar ).…”