Exploring Job Embeddedness and Its Impact on Nurse Retention through Self-Leadership: Evidence from Indonesia

Febryna Grace Maya Waloni; Ferdi Antonio; Roy G.A. Massie

doi:10.20884/1.jks.2025.20.3.13675

Febryna Grace Maya Waloni Universitas Pelita Harapan
Ferdi Antonio Department of Hospital Administration, Graduate School of Management, Pelita Harapan University, Jakarta, Indonesia
Roy G.A. Massie National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jks.2025.20.3.13675

Abstract

Background: The global healthcare sector faces significant challenges in retaining skilled nurses due to various reasons leading to high turnover. These issues affect both public and private healthcare systems. Addressing these is crucial to ensure quality patient care and sustainable healthcare services, especially as the demand for skilled healthcare workers grows globally. This study examines the impact of job embeddedness and self-leadership on retention and turnover intentions among skilled nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study involves 138 skilled nurses who met the criteria and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: Job embeddedness significantly enhances nurse self-leadership (β = 0.671, p < 0.001) and intention to stay (β = 0.658, p < 0.001), promoting commitment but negatively impacts turnover intention (β = -0.312, p = 0.004), suggesting its effectiveness in reducing turnover. Nurse self-leadership did not directly relate to the intention to stay. The moderating effect of length of service on the relationship between self-leadership and intention to stay underscores the importance of customized retention strategies. Conclusion: Job embeddedness is essential for retaining skilled nurses, and healthcare facilities should create a supportive environment that encourages connection and belonging. Retention strategies such as self-leadership training can enhance nurse commitment and reduce turnover. These findings offer valuable insights for effective nurse retention strategies in the competitive healthcare landscape.

Keywords: intention to stay; job embeddedness; nurse self-leadership; turnover intention

Author Biographies

Febryna Grace Maya Waloni, Universitas Pelita Harapan

Febryna Grace Maya Waloni currently pursuing a Master's degree in Hospital Management at Pelita Harapan University. She earned her medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at Sam Ratulangi University in 2006. With extensive experience in healthcare, she is currently working at a Mom and Child Care Clinic in Tangerang, where she combines her medical expertise with a passion for improving healthcare services.

Ferdi Antonio, Department of Hospital Administration, Graduate School of Management, Pelita Harapan University, Jakarta, Indonesia

Ferdi Antonio completed his medical education at Sriwijaya University Palembang, he has two master’s degree in general management and hospital administration. He completed his doctoral education in service management in 2014. Currently, apart from being a consultant in management, he is also active as a lecturer and supervisor in the postgraduate program at Pelita Harapan University. His research is related to health and hospital management, as well as marketing. Currently, 30 papers has been published in Scopus indexed international journals with a Scopus H-index of 5. He can be contacted at email: ferdi.antonio@gmail.com https://orchid.org/0000-0002-1319-3732

Roy G.A. Massie, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia

Roy G.A. Massie graduated from Queen Margaret University Edinburgh with a Doctor of Philosophy in 2008. He also completed his Master of Public Health from School of Public Health, Boston University, in 1997, and Medical Doctor graduated from Sam Ratulangi University, Manado in 1990. Currently, he is a senior researcher in health policy at The National Research Innovation Agency (BRIN). Most of his research concerns the public health of vulnerable groups or less developed areas as well as improvement in the health system. He can be contacted at email: royg001@brin.go.id

https://orchid.org/0009-0007-9980-8841