Factors associated with work ability and intention to leave nursing profession: a nested case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Occupational Health
• Public Health

Background:

• High turnover rates in the nursing profession pose significant challenges to healthcare systems.
• Understanding factors contributing to impaired work ability and nurses' intention to leave is crucial for retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify demographic, lifestyle, and occupational factors associated with impaired work ability among nurses.
• To identify factors linked to nurses' intention to leave the profession.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study nested within a cross-sectional design.
• Random sampling of nurses for work ability (n=633) and intention to leave (n=605).
• Multiple logistic regression analysis to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• Impaired work ability linked to job strain, effort-reward imbalance, high overcommitment, musculoskeletal pain risk, lower education levels, and low physical activity.
• Protective factors for work ability included ages 31-40 and over 41.
• Intention to leave associated with high job strain, effort-reward imbalance, high musculoskeletal pain risk, and insomnia symptoms; age over 40 was protective.

Conclusions:

• Both individual characteristics and occupational conditions significantly influence nurses' work ability and intent to leave.
• Recommendations include improving working conditions and enhancing individual coping resources to promote nurse retention.