Factors affecting nurses' retention in Iranian hospitals

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources in Healthcare

Background:

• Effective retention of healthcare professionals is crucial for service delivery and organizational integrity.
• Human and financial constraints amplify the importance of retention strategies in healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors influencing nurses' retention within Iranian hospitals.
• To identify actionable strategies for improving nurse retention rates.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis using the Elo and Kyngäs model.
• Purposive sampling of 42 hospital managers and nurses.
• Conducted 45 semi-structured interviews until data saturation.

Main Results:

• Analysis revealed four primary categories: dignity and respect, ethics and spirituality, empathy, and flourishing.
• The overarching theme identified was 'maternal management'.

Conclusions:

• 'Maternal management' is proposed as a strategic approach to enhance nurse retention.
• Implementing 'maternal management' can address critical factors affecting nurses' job satisfaction and commitment.