Nurses’ Perceptions of the Effect of Organizational Support, Role Clarity, and Ambiguity on Career Plateauing: Implications for the Healthcare Workforce

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Career plateauing is an increasingly recognized workforce challenge in nursing, associated with reduced motivation, professional growth, and retention. While organizational support and role-related factors are known to influence nurses' work outcomes, their combined effect on career plateauing remains insufficiently explored, particularly in university hospital settings. <b>Aim:</b> This study aimed to examine the effect of perceived organizational support, role clarity, and role ambiguity on career plateauing among staff nurses working in university hospitals. <b>Methods:</b> A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected from 210 staff nurses working in two Egyptian university hospitals using four validated instruments: a demographic data sheet, the Perceived Organizational Support Scale, the Role Clarity and Role Ambiguity Questionnaire, and the Career Plateauing Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses with SPSS version 27. <b>Results:</b> Most nurses reported moderate levels of organizational support (85.2%) and career plateauing (84.3%). Role ambiguity demonstrated a significant negative correlation with career plateauing (r = -0.441, <i>p</i> < 0.01), while organizational support and role clarity were positively associated with plateauing perceptions. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that role ambiguity was the strongest predictor of both hierarchical and job content plateauing (<i>p</i> < 0.001), followed by role clarity and organizational support. <b>Conclusions:</b> Reducing role ambiguity may alleviate perceptions of career plateauing among nurses. However, increased organizational support and role clarity alone may heighten awareness of limited advancement opportunities if not accompanied by tangible career development pathways. Nursing leaders should focus on clarifying roles while creating realistic and transparent opportunities for professional growth.