Effects of Trait Anger and Anger Expression on Job Satisfaction and Burnout in Preceptor Nurses and Newly Graduated Nurses: A Dyadic Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The preceptor-newly graduated nurse (NGN) relationship is integral to the successful experience of clinical teaching and learning and new nurses' transition. However, interpersonal conflicts between them are common. Little is known whether their anger contributes to their level of job satisfaction and burnout. This study aimed to examine the effects of each nurse's anger on job satisfaction and burnout in preceptor-NGN dyads. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used. This study involved 121 preceptor-newly graduate nurse dyads in two hospitals in South Korea. Nurses completed a questionnaire about demographics, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Korean version, a job satisfaction measure, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. This study adopted the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to handle dyadic data. Results: Preceptor nurses reported higher frequencies of feeling anger than did new nurses and appear to have higher levels of trait anger, anger-out, and burnout. Both the preceptors' and NGNs' trait anger was positively associated with preceptors' burnout. Suppressing anger was closely related to the nurses' own job satisfaction and burnout. Preceptors with a higher level of anger-control had higher job satisfaction, and NGNs with a higher level of anger-control had less burnout. Conclusion: The results indicate that preceptors and new nurses appear to experience significant anger, which is closely associated with their job satisfaction and burnout during their preceptorship. Anger management training programs geared toward educating both preceptors and new nurses about appropriate anger expression in the workplace should be developed to retain valuable nurses.