Exploring the Influence of Organizational Support on Job Performance Among Community Health Nurses

Posted: Jun 29, 2023

• Maxwell Hayes
• Caleb Torres
• Kendall Freeman

Abstract

This research investigates the complex relationship between organizational support mechanisms and job performance outcomes among community health nurses, employing a novel mixed-methods approach that combines computational social network analysis with qualitative phenomenological inquiry. While previous studies have examined general organizational support factors in healthcare settings, this study uniquely focuses on the specific challenges faced by community health nurses working in decentralized, resource-constrained environments. Our methodology integrates longitudinal survey data from 347 community health nurses across three healthcare systems with in-depth interviews and social network mapping to reveal how different types of organizational support—instrumental, emotional, and informational—differentially impact various dimensions of job performance including clinical competency, patient advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration. The findings demonstrate that informational support through peer learning networks and emotional support through structured mentorship programs have significantly stronger effects on performance outcomes than traditional instrumental support alone. Furthermore, we identify a previously undocumented mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between organizational support and job performance, suggesting that interventions targeting nurses' resilience and self-efficacy may amplify the benefits of organizational support initiatives. This research contributes to both healthcare management theory and practice by providing a more nuanced understanding of how organizational support systems can be optimized for community health nursing contexts, ultimately informing more effective human resource strategies in public health organizations.