Does the Three-shift Work Change the Relationship between Work Environment and Turnover Intention?

This study examines the relationship between work environment and turnover intention, with a specific focus on the impact of three-shift work. Using survey data from a large hospital in South Korea and the job demands-resources model, we investigate whether three-shift work exacerbates the negative association between work environment and turnover intention. The findings indicate that a positive work environment can mitigate turnover intention, whereas three-shift work is associated with increased turnover intention. Notably, we found no evidence to suggest that nurses working in three-shifts perceive a weaker relationship between work environment and turnover intention. These results have implications for addressing the global nursing shortage and high turnover rates, suggesting that three-shift work may be a viable flexible work pattern. Furthermore, our study provides empirical support for the impact of three-shift work on employee perception, highlighting the need for managers to redesign work types, including three-shift schedules, to improve performance.