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Why are nurses leaving nursing?
Jane Sumner1, Judith Townsend-Rocchiccioli
1Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, 1900 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Nursing Administration Quarterly
|May 27, 2003
Summary
Intrinsic factors, not just external pressures, drive nurses away from acute care. Addressing emotional labor, moral distress, and workplace value is key to nurse retention.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- High nurse turnover rates in acute care settings are a persistent challenge.
- Existing research often focuses on extrinsic factors like workload and pay.
- Understanding intrinsic motivations and dissatisfactions is crucial for effective retention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore intrinsic factors contributing to nurses' decisions to leave acute care.
- To examine the impact of bureaucratic, professional, and intra-professional issues on nurse satisfaction.
- To discuss nursing as emotional work and its relation to moral distress.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of factors influencing nurse dissatisfaction.
- Examination of the nursing profession's unique challenges, including emotional labor and moral distress.
- Review of existing literature on nurse retention and workplace environment.
Main Results:
- Bureaucratic issues, interprofessional dynamics, and internal nursing profession factors significantly impact job satisfaction.
- Emotional labor and moral distress are identified as key intrinsic contributors to nurses' intent to leave.
- Nurses seek environments where their humanistic contributions are recognized and valued.
Conclusions:
- Nurse exodus is significantly influenced by intrinsic factors beyond commonly cited reasons.
- Addressing emotional labor, moral distress, and fostering a valued work environment are critical for nurse retention.
- Systemic changes are needed to support nurses' well-being and professional fulfillment in acute care.