The Effect of Leader-Member Exchange on Turnover Intention among Competent-stage Nurses: Structural Relationship of Team-Member Exchange and Nursing Performance

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediating pathways of team-member exchange and nursing performance in the relationship between leader-member exchange and turnover intention among competent-stage nurses. Methods: Participants were 214 clinical nurses with 3–6 years of experience working in tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires on general characteristics, leader-member exchange, team-member exchange, nursing performance, and turnover intention between September 30 and November 4, 2024. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 29.0 and PROCESS macro version 4.2. Results: Leader-member exchange had a significant positive effect on team-member exchange and a significant negative effect on turnover intention. Team-member exchange significantly mediated the relationship between leader-member exchange and turnover intention. In contrast, nursing performance did not mediate this relationship, and the sequential mediating effect of team-member exchange and nursing performance was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Further research focused on competent-stage nurses is needed to identify targeted interventions for reducing turnover intention. These findings suggest that hospital organizations should develop and implement programs that strengthen leader-member exchange between nurses and nursing leaders and team-member exchange among colleagues, which may help reduce turnover intention among competent-stage nurses.