Date

6-17-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Natalie Hamrick

Keywords

nurse engagement, employee recognition, public hospitals, burnout, nurse turnover, inpatient vs. ambulatory care, motivational theory, retention strategies

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Nurses are indispensable to the operation of public hospitals, often serving on the front lines of patient care in high-pressure environments characterized by limited resources and elevated patient acuity. These conditions contribute to burnout, disengagement, and turnover, threatening healthcare quality and workforce sustainability. This quantitative, correlational, and predictive study examined the relationship between recognition received through a digital recognition portal with nurse engagement and turnover in public hospital settings. Drawing on two years of archival organizational data, this research examined whether recognition frequency and recognition satisfaction predicted engagement and turnover, and whether department type moderated those relationships. Analyses included linear regression, logistic regression, and moderation testing to evaluate relationships among recognition frequency, recognition satisfaction, engagement, and turnover, as well as the moderating role of department type. Findings indicated that recognition satisfaction was a consistent and statistically significant predictor of departmental engagement, whereas recognition frequency did not demonstrate a consistent relationship with engagement or turnover. Department type moderated the relationship between recognition satisfaction and engagement, with stronger effects observed in ambulatory settings in 2023 and in inpatient settings in 2024. These findings provide practical guidance for healthcare leaders to design targeted recognition strategies that enhance engagement, support retention, and strengthen workforce stability in a high-demand clinical environment

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