Factors affecting nurses' intention to leave their current jobs in Saudi Arabia

It is known that job satisfaction and quality of life influence nurses' intention to resign from their jobs. However, health-care systems should examine all the possible factors that contribute to nurse turnover to retain them for the long term. To this purpose, this study further explores the aspects that affect the intention of nurses who work in Saudi Arabia to leave their current jobs.

A sample of 318 staff nurses working in two public hospitals in Saudi Arabia was surveyed in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to assess job satisfaction, stress, quality of life, and intention of recruited nurses to leave their current jobs. Data were collected between April and May 2018.

Quality of life dimensions, such as physical and psychological health, predict nurses' intention to resign from their current workplaces. We found that being single or of Filipino or Indian origin, working in the medical and surgical department, or having a low monthly gross salary is correlated with a high intention to leave.

The results present a unique theoretical underpinning that expands on the previous knowledge and literature on the factors that affect nurses' intent to leave their organizations. The findings of this study can be used as a guide to establish human resource policies toward satisfying nurses' needs and improving job satisfaction and quality of life to promote retention.