ObjectiveTo explore the influence and mechanism of social support on nurses' job performance.

MethodsA total of 900 in-service clinical nurses in four hospitals in a city were investigated by job performance scale, perceived social support scale, psychological capital questionnaire and organizational culture scale.

ResultsThere was a significant positive correlation between social support, psychological capital and organizational culture and nurses' job performance(P < 0.01). The total effect of social support on nurses' job performance was significant(P < 0.01), the indirect effect of social support on nurses' job performance through psychological capital was significant(95% confidence interval did not include 0), and the direct effect of social support on nurses' job performance was significant(P < 0.01). Social support and organizational culture could significantly and positively predict psychological capital(P < 0.01), and the interaction effect between social support and organizational culture was significant(P < 0.01). The simple slope diagram showed that the positive effect of social support on psychological capital increased with the improvement of organizational culture level. The turning point of the standard score of organizational culture moderating effect was -1.638.

ConclusionsSocial support can directly and positively predict nurses' job performance. Psychological capital partially mediates the impact of social support on nurses' job performance. Organizational culture positively moderates the mediating process of social support through psychological capital. The influence of social support on nurses' job performance is a moderated mediating effect.