Determining Nurses Organizational Silence Behaviors and Its Effecting Factors

INTRODUCTION: This study used descriptive, exploratory design and conducted to determine nurses organizational silence behavior levels and affecting factors. METHODS: This study was conducted with 105 nurses working in a private university hospital. In the study, the Organizational Silence Behavior Scale and twelve socio-demographic and job-related questions were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using the SPPS 26 program. In descriptive statistical analysis, number, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used. Independent variables that have an effect on silence behavior subscale scores in primary analyzes were analyzed by using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the nurses participating in the study was 27.9 +- 4.6. It was determined that 83.8% were women, 70.5% had bachelor's degree and 60% worked as nurses. The organizational Silence Behavior Scale total score arithmetic mean is 2.59 (SD =.66) (min =1, max = 4.26), and the highest score in the subscale was found to be in the acquiesce silence subscale with 3.03 (SD = 1.00). While more than half of the nurses (55.2%) stated that their managers had an influence on their silence behavior, according to the result of regression analysis, being unable to speak comfortably with the manager in the silence climate (R2: .10, Durbin Watson: 1.82, p =.001) and not being able to speak comfortably with the manager in the acquiesce silence subscale. It was found that being under 30 years old (R2: .23, Durbin Watson: 1.49, p <.001) was effective. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results obtained from the research indicated that the nurses who can speak easily with his/her manager nurse and who are older, exhibit less silence behavior. Manager Nurses who are supporting open communication and feedback processes will prevent ‘ silence behavior and support positive work environment.