Journal of Research Administration

Abstract

Background: When nurses feel that they are treated fairly and their opinions are valued, their level of trust in the organization increases. Organizational trust is considered a key factor in enhancing job satisfaction and promoting a healthy work environment. It also contributes to improving staff performance and the overall quality of nursing care delivered to patients. Aim: The study aimed to determine the Staff nurses' perception of organizational trust at King Fahd Specialized Hospital. Method: A descriptive research design was employed. This study was conducted at all inpatient departments at King Fahd Specialist Hospital Buraydah (KFSHB), Saudi Arabia, on a convenience sample of 114 nurses who participated in the study using one tool for data collection: Organizational Trust Scale. Results: The results revealed noticeable variation in perceived organizational trust among staff nurses, with the highest mean score reported for trust in supervisors (30.99), followed by co-workers (29.74), and the lowest in organizational management (26.80). Nearly half of nurses demonstrated high trust in supervisors (49.1%), whereas co-worker trust was mainly moderate (41.2%), and trust in management was predominantly low (42.1%). Overall, total organizational trust was mostly low (38.6%), compared to moderate (31.6%) and high (29.8%) levels, indicating generally suboptimal trust among nurses. Conclusion: Staff nurses demonstrated stronger trust in direct supervisors and colleagues than in higher organizational management. Overall organizational trust remains suboptimal, with a considerable proportion of nurses experiencing low trust levels. Recommendation: Healthcare organizations should enhance transparency, communication, and participatory decision-making to strengthen trust in management. Leadership development programs and team-building strategies are recommended to improve overall organizational trust among nurses.