Abstract

DANTAS, Maria Jacinta Pereira  and  FERREIRA, Ana Paula. Content and violation of the psychological contract among head nurses. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2015, vol.serIV, n.4, pp.31-39. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIII13170.

Theoretical framework: This study focuses on the concept of Psychological Contract (PC) from the perspective that the perceived obligations between employer and employee are constructed by the individual. Objectives: To identify the contents of the head nurses’ PC, the (in) existence of perceived PC violation and reactions to the possible perception of violation. Methodology: Qualitative exploratory descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were performed in a sample of 10 head nurses. Results: The contents of the PC - what head nurses expected to receive from their employers - included professional recognition, job satisfaction, career progression and fair compensation. As to what they were willing to offer their employers, loyalty to the hierarchy, employer and professional group, as well as a performance of excellence were identified. Conclusion: All interviewees considered that their employers had violated the PC. The main reactions to PC violation were: decreased organisational performance, rushing into retirement (intention to leave the organisation), demotivation and denial of the new professional status.

Keywords : psychological contract; contents of contract; violation of contract; head nurse.

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