The Great Resignation's Impact on Nursing: A Phenomenological Study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• The
• Great Resignation
• phenomenon, characterized by record job quits post-COVID-19, significantly impacts the nursing workforce.
• Understanding the drivers and experiences within nursing during this period is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of nurses during and after the
• Great Resignation
• using the Motivation to Work theory.
• To identify factors influencing nurses' decisions to remain in or leave the profession.

Main Methods:

• Transcendental phenomenological research design.
• Adherence to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.
• In-depth interviews with 18 registered nurses.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: intrinsic motivation for nursing, work environment challenges, unmet human needs, desire for autonomy, and the impact of COVID-19.
• Nurses' commitment to patients is a primary reason for staying, but workload and lack of support create barriers.
• Identified needs include better resources, improved leadership support, autonomy, and appreciation.

Conclusions:

• Nurses are dedicated to patient care but face systemic issues in the work environment.
• Healthcare delivery models require redesign to support nurses and ensure quality patient outcomes.
• Findings can inform policies for a healthy work environment, enhance retention strategies, and promote the nursing profession's sustainability.