Relationship networks among nurses in acute nursing care units

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of social networks among registered nurses in acute nursing care units.Methods: This study used a survey design. Four nursing units from two acute hospitals were selected using a convenience method, and 83 nurses from those nursing units participated in the study in July 2022. The positive influences among nurses included friendship, collaboration, advice, and referent networks, and the negative influences included avoidance and bullying networks. Using the NetMiner program, the k-means clustering technique was applied to create groups of nodes with similar characteristics. The general characteristics of the participants were analyzed by mean, standard deviation, frequency, and ANOVA or chi-squared test.Results: As a result of dividing the 83 nurse participants into four clusters, positive influencers, silent peers, unwelcome peers, and active bullies were identified. Positive influence group nurses were frequently mentioned in the friendship, collaboration, advice, and referent networks. On the other hand, nurses in the unwelcome group and the active bullying group were frequently mentioned in the avoidance and bullying networks.Conclusion: Social networks that have a positive or negative impact on nursing performance are created through different relationships between nurses. Nurse managers can use the findings to create a more supportive and collaborative environment. Further research is needed to develop intervention programs to improve interactions and relationships between fellow nurses.