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Published on: June 21, 2010
A Qualitative Exploration of Why Novice Nurses Left Their Jobs
Dena D Shore1, Susan Letvak, Lynne P Lewallen
1Author Affiliations: Nurse Practice Specialist (Dr Shore), Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston Salem, North Carolina; Adjunct Faculty (Dr Shore), Surry Community College, Dobson, North Carolina; Professor and Director, PhD in Nursing Program (Dr Letvak); Professor (Dr Lewallen), Department of Advanced Nursing Education, University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Objective:
This qualitative study sought to answer the question "Why are novice nurses leaving their jobs?"
Background:
Nearly one-third of all new RNs in the United States left their 1st jobs within a year in 2024. Research is needed to understand why nurses are leaving so interventions can be designed.
Methods:
Using qualitative descriptive methodology, 13 nurses from the United States who left their jobs within the 1st 2 years of practice were interviewed.
Results:
Two main themes emerged that were related to leaving: Starting out and hitting a wall and Trying to stick it out and couldn't. A 3rd theme, The aftereffects, described the nurses' reflection on their experience and how it impacted their current situation.
Conclusions:
Nurse leaders must critically examine the work environment, preceptor training, and novice nurse transition programs to provide swift interventions to staunch the exodus of novice nurses leaving their 1st jobs.
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