Objectives: Nurses, as the largest professional group in the health system, are affected by the level of communication and sharing networks in their work environments due to their constant contact with patients and other members of the treatment team. The present study aimed to investigate the role of social capital on key indicators of nurses' performance.
Methods: The study is considered quantitative, and the time frame includes spring and summer 2025. In addition, the population involved nurses at the University of Medical Sciences in Markazi Province, Iran, and a sample of 180 was selected using a simple random method. Data analysis performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the Smart PLS (version 3.0) software.
Results: The cognitive, relational, and structural dimensions of social capital positively affect nurses' participation and social cohesion. The cognitive dimension has the greatest effect on social participation, with a coefficient of 0.541. Social participation and cohesion also have a positive effect on nurses' retention and satisfaction. Social participation has a greater effect on retention with a coefficient of 0.641.
Conclusion: Explaining common objectives, creating an atmosphere based on trust, mutual respect, and social support in the workplace, designing structures such as interdisciplinary work teams, and professional nursing networks can help increase social participation and cohesion among nurses and ultimately lead to increased job satisfaction and a desire to stay in the organization.