THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT AND WORK ENGAGEMENT AND ITS DIMENSIONS IN NURSES OF EDUCATIONAL HOSPITALS IN BIRJAND

Background & Aims: As nurses' work engagement (WE) is associated with outcomes such as organizational commitment and job satisfaction, efforts to improve it seem necessary. The first step toward this goal is to identify the factors that affect it. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and nurses' WE and its dimensions. Materials & Methods: The present study was a descriptive correlational one. The statistical population included nurses of educational hospitals in Birjand, from which 120 nurses were included in the study by multistage sampling. Data were collected using Utrecht WE and Eisenberger POS questionnaires. Data analysis was performed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation-coefficient, one-way analysis of variance, and independent t-test. Results: The results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between the vigor dimension of WE and POS (r=0.33, p<0.05). Although a positive and significant correlation was observed between POS and the total score of WE and its other dimensions (dedication and absorption), but this correlation is less than 0.3 and is considered weak (r<0.3, p<0.05). The dedication dimension of WE was significantly different between men and women and the mean of this dimension was higher in women (p<0.05). Conclusion: As POS can affect WE and its dimensions, nursing managers should to promote nurses' WE by creating a supportive environment and considering individual factors.