American Journal of Nursing Research, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 2, 63-69 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajnr/5/2/4 ©Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ajnr-5-2-4 Relationship between Nurses' Absenteeism and Their Organizational Commitment at Menoufyia University Hospitals Hayam Ahmed Al-Sharif 1 , Enas Ali Kassem 2 , Wafaa Mohamed A. Shokry 1,* 1 Lecturer of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt 2 Professor of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt *Corresponding author: drwafaa_2010@yahoo.com Abstract Absenteeism and organizational commitment in nursing are attitudes reflecting on productivity, quality of patient care, and the personal life of nursing staff. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between nurse's absenteeism and their organizational commitment at Menoufyia University Hospitals. Descriptive research design was used. The study was conducted in all units at Menoufyia University Hospitals. A simple random sample of staff nurses who were participated in the study, their total numbers were 200 staff nurses. Tools of data collection were Self-administered Questionnaire, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, and Absenteeism Records. The study findings revealed that there was a highly significant difference between nurses' commitment and emergency leaves (P<0.001), annual leaves (P<0.001), and the total of absence days at P<0.001, and a significant with sick leaves (P=0.03). The current results illustrated that there was a significant difference between nurses' job commitment and health-related factors (P=0.01) and the highly significant with rules of absenteeism (P=0.003). The main causes of nurses' absenteeism were workplace factors (85.5%) and lack control of absenteeism (82.5%). In conclusion, the rate of nurses' absenteeism has the negative impact on their organizational commitment. The study recommends with planning and implementing strategies for nurses' absenteeism control including; encourage staff nurse's motivation to attend; reducing nurse's illness absence by providing free health promotions; developing employee's policy of an attendance to decrease the rate of absenteeism. In addition to improving the workplace for nurses through providing incentives, child care centers, and good opportunities for training. Keywords: nurses, absenteeism, organizational commitment Cite This Article: Hayam Ahmed Al-Sharif, Enas Ali Kassem, and Wafaa Mohamed A. Shokry, “Relationship between Nurses' Absenteeism and Their Organizational Commitment at Menoufyia University Hospitals.” American Journal of Nursing Research, vol. 5, no. 2 (2017): 63-69. doi: 10.12691/ajnr-5-2-4. 1. Introduction The organizational behavior involves attitudes and actions of employees within organizations. Attitudes of interest in organizational behavior include organizational commitment and absenteeism. Organizational commitment means how committed or loyal employees feel to the goals of the organization, and, absenteeism refers to the rate of employee absences from the work. [1] Absenteeism is non-attendance of an employee in the workplace. [2] A scheduled absence is approved to take time off for employees in accordance with organization' policies, including approved vacation and personal holidays. Unscheduled absence is a failure to report on a scheduled workday due to leaving early or tardiness without a written and approved time off request. Some examples of unscheduled absences such as caring for a family member who has an illness, and home emergency. [3] Absenteeism is a concern in hospitals because it decreases the care quality, disorganizes the work routine, and overburdens nurses that are present. [4] Absenteeism among staff nurses leads to a reducing of the quality of patient care, an increased staff shortage in health care organization, increased workload, work-related stress, which adversely affects their morale and a lack of motivation among staff nurses. [5] It affects the working environment and the financial performance of a hospital. [6] Also, an absenteeism is a side effect of personnel problems, Ineffective management, poor working relationships, lack control over decisions and overwork are contributing factors. [7] Absenteeism has been an effect on the working condition of the staff nurses. In some cases, nurses may have to work shorthanded; they are expected to cover the unit despite their missing colleagues. Working shorthanded, especially for an expected period of time, can create both physical and mental strain. To perceive nature of employee absenteeism, it is important to differentiate between voluntary and involuntary absenteeism. The voluntary absence means an absenteeism that is under the employee's control, and, while, involuntary absence refers to an absenteeism that is not under the employee's control. [8] Causes of absenteeism among nurses in hospitals including; Family problems, poor salaries, long working hours, lack communication with immediate supervisor,