Registered nurses' perspectives of work satisfaction, patient safety and intention to stay - A double-edged sword

To describe job satisfaction in registered nurses (RNs), their intention to stay at their current workplace and in the profession and to explore patient safety in relation to these.

Nurse turnover presents a serious challenge to health care that may be predicted by factors related to the work environment.

Descriptive design with 25 qualitative interviews.

Five categories were identified: RNs feel satisfied when providing person-centred care; RNs enjoy the variability of the nursing job, but want control; RNs feel frustrated when care is put on hold or left undone; RNs depend on team collaboration and the work environment to assure patient safety; intention to stay depends on the work environment and a chance for renewal.

Registered nurses' job satisfaction could be described as a double-edged sword. Although the profession is described as a positive challenge, work overload threatens both job satisfaction and patient safety.

Our findings suggest that nursing leadership can increase RNs' intention to stay by meeting their needs for appreciation, a better work environment, competence development and professional career development.