Reasons for leaving nursing: a study among Turkish nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Studies
• Healthcare Workforce Research
• Sociology of Professions

Background:

• The nursing shortage is a complex global issue with multifaceted causes.
• Understanding specific workforce attrition drivers is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary reasons why nurses in Turkey exit the nursing profession.
• To identify key factors contributing to nurse turnover in the Turkish healthcare system.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 134 former nurses using snowball sampling.
• Multiple methods facilitated the elicitation of reasons for leaving the profession.

Main Results:

• Unsatisfactory working conditions were the predominant reason for nurses leaving.
• A negative perception of the nursing profession significantly influenced career departures.
• A majority (69.4%) of former nurses pursued careers in non-nursing fields, with teaching being the most popular choice (27.6%).

Conclusions:

• Improving working conditions is imperative to retain nurses.
• Addressing the negative public perception of nursing is vital.
• A multidimensional approach is necessary to effectively combat nurse attrition.