Perceived Career Compromise and Job Satisfaction Among Hospital Nurses in Indonesia: The Mediating Roles of Idealism and Abusive Supervision

Aim/Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of perceived career compromise on job satisfaction and to investigate how idealism and abusive supervision mediate this relationship. It focuses on the professional experiences of nurses in Indonesia, exploring how career compromise and organizational dynamics shape satisfaction within a specific cultural and hierarchical context. Background Nurses play a critical role in healthcare systems, yet many face challenges that force them to compromise their professional goals. Understanding the mechanisms behind how such compromise affects job satisfaction is essential for effective healthcare workforce management. Methodology This study employed a quantitative method with data collected from 200 nurses in Mataram City, Indonesia. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS was used to analyze the data. Contribution This study extends healthcare HRM literature by integrating ethical (idealism) and leadership (abusive supervision) variables as mechanisms through which career compromise may influence job satisfaction. Findings Structural model analysis revealed that predicted negative relationships between career compromise, idealism, and job satisfaction were significantly positive (unsupported). Conversely, direct paths from career compromise to abusive supervision and from idealism to job satisfaction were supported. Both idealism and abusive supervision were found to be significant mediators. These findings indicate that within Indonesia’s seniority-based nursing culture, career compromise is reframed as professional stability and abusive supervision is reinterpreted as paternalistic guidance, paradoxically enhancing rather than reducing job satisfaction. Recommendations for Practitioners Healthcare organizations should cultivate effective nursing leadership and establish career development opportunities to sustain nurse job satisfaction, particularly when career aspirations are not fully met. Recommendations for Researchers Future researchers are urged to investigate additional mediators or moderators, such as resilience or organizational fairness, and to apply the model across various organizational contexts. Impact on Society This study enhances comprehension of the factors influencing nurse satisfaction, hence promoting improved workforce retention in healthcare, which directly affects the quality and continuity of patient care. Future Research Further research could use longitudinal designs or qualitative approaches to uncover deeper emotional responses to career sacrifice among healthcare workers.