The impact of organisational culture on the adaptation of newly employed nurses to the work environment

Abstract

Usually newly employed nurses find adjusting to a work setting a challenging experience. Their successful adaptation to their work situation is greatly influenced by the socialisation process inherent in the organisational culture. The newly employed nurse often finds that the norms are unclear, confusing and restrictive. The purpose of the
study was to examine the impact of organisational culture on the adaptation of newly employed nurses to the work environment. A descriptive quantitative survey was employed to explore the constructs of organisational culture that have a positive or a negative impact on the adaptation of newly employed nurses to the work setting. Constructs
such as conflict resolution, employee participation, human resource orientation, goal clarity, identification with the organisation, locus of control and management style were examined. Participants expressed their views as to what constructs of organisational culture had a positive or a negative impact on their adjustment to the work settings. For
the culture to serve its function it must be perceived as correct and valid and if it is perceived that way, it automatically follows that it must be taught to newcomers.

Keywords: organisational culture; adaptation; adjustment; newly employed nurses; socialisation process

Health SA Gesondheid Vol. 10 (3) 2005: pp. 46-56