Breaking the cycle of workplace mistreatment: nurses’ vulnerability and career development as a critical pathway to turnover intentions

Purpose The present study aimed at examining the direct effects of workplace mistreatment on nurses, particularly workplace bullying (WB), workplace violence (WV) and abusive supervision (AS), on turnover intentions (TI). Moreover, it examined the indirect effects of career development (CD) through the moderating role of work-related social support (SS). Design/methodology/approach This study uses a three-wave time-lagged data collection strategy. Data were collected from nurses in Pakistan (n = 311). Statistical analyses, including structural equation modelling (CB-SEM), were performed to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results revealed that workplace mistreatment, mainly WB, WV and AS, is significantly associated with higher TI among nurses in Pakistan. The CD partially mediated the relationship between workplace mistreatment and TI. In addition, the findings reveal that SS moderates the relationship between TI and CD. Practical implications This study highlights the need to address workplace mistreatment and its negative consequences for nurses’ TI and CD. It provides practical recommendations to address this vulnerability, enhance employee development and boost retention. Originality/value The present study makes a novel contribution by integrating multiple theoretical lenses to understand the detrimental effects of various forms of workplace mistreatment on nurses’ TI and their career trajectories. Moreover, the findings provide novel insights into nurses’ vocational experiences within the framework of vulnerability, offering actionable recommendations for organisational policies aimed at nurse retention.