The Relationship Between Workplace Ostracism, Job Stress and Job Satisfaction in Hospital Nurses

Purpose –The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of exclusion and work stress issues encountered by nurses working intensively in the healthcare sector on their job satisfaction. This study aims to evaluate the effects of organizational exclusion on work stress and job satisfaction, and to question what results can be achieved if an internal organizational trust environment is established, as well as what behavioral changes may occur among employees.Design/methodology/approach –Within the scope of the research objective, data was collected from nurses working in the service sector through a face-to-face survey conducted between March 11, 2024, and June 25, 2024, at a public hospital in Izmir, Turkey, with a total of 418 participants. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 25.00 Statistical Package Program. Correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationships between variables, and the results of the mediating effects of the variables were evaluated.Results–Workplace exclusion has a positive effect on job stress (β=0.419, p=0.000). Moreover, both workplace exclusion (β= -0.233, p=0.000) and job stress (β= -0.533, p=0.000) negatively affected job satisfaction. Job stress increased the negative effect of workplace exclusion on job satisfaction (β= -0.455, p=0.000).Discussion –Work stress has been found to mediate the effect of organizational exclusion on job satisfaction and to amplify this negative effect. Health managers should implement strategic activities to reduce nurses' stress levels and increase their job satisfaction.It would also be useful to identify the factors contributing to organizational exclusion and to develop solutions to address them.