Why nurses discontinue practice in hospitals? Insights from a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Studies
• Healthcare Management
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Hospitals face worsening work environments, leading to nurse burnout and turnover.
• High nurse turnover negatively impacts patient outcomes and healthcare systems.
• Previous research highlights the challenges of nurse retention in hospital settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons behind registered nurse resignations in Italian hospitals.
• To identify key factors contributing to nurse turnover in the healthcare sector.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive phenomenology design.
• Conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with nurses.
• Followed Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.

Main Results:

• Thematic analysis identified two primary themes: individual factors and organizational factors.
• Individual factors included 'quality-of-life threats' and 'personal drive and ambitions'.
• Organizational factors comprised 'unsustainable working conditions' and 'lack of support from employers'.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for evidence-based strategies to enhance nurse well-being and reduce turnover.
• Organizations must prioritize work flexibility, work-life balance, and management support.
• Promoting professionalism and organizational values is crucial for retaining nursing staff.