Factors Affecting Turnover Intention among Nurses in Ethiopia

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Workforce Studies
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Addressing health worker shortages in public sectors is crucial for service quality.
• High turnover rates among nurses impact healthcare delivery.
• This study investigates factors influencing Ethiopian nurses' job departure intentions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key predictors of intention to leave among Ethiopian nurses.
• To inform strategies for improving nurse retention in public health facilities.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 425 nurses across 122 facilities.
• Nurses reported on factors influencing their job decisions and intent to leave.
• Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis, were employed.

Main Results:

• Over half (50.2%) of nurses intended to leave their jobs within the next year.
• University-educated nurses were more likely to leave (OR=2.246).
• Fewer years in public health (OR=0.948) and valuing professional development (OR=1.398) predicted higher turnover intention.

Conclusions:

• Interventions should focus on retaining young nurses completing compulsory service and those with university degrees.
• A combination of non-financial and financial incentives is recommended.
• Targeted strategies are needed to improve nurse retention in Ethiopian public health facilities.