Retaining Those Who Care: Ethical Climate, Leadership, and Workforce Sustainability in Healthcare

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Ethics
• Workforce Sustainability

Background:

• Global healthcare professional shortages create ethical and organizational challenges.
• High turnover rates among nurses threaten health system sustainability.
• Institutional factors significantly impact healthcare professional well-being and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the influence of organizational ethics on healthcare professionals' experiences.
• To investigate how ethical climate, organizational justice, and ethical leadership affect workforce retention.
• To understand the link between institutional factors and the intention to leave or remain in the healthcare sector.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual and reflective approach.
• Drawing on theories and empirical findings in organizational ethics and turnover literature.
• Exploration of relationships between ethical environments, professional recognition, and moral well-being.

Main Results:

• Ethical and fair organizational climates enhance trust, commitment, and retention.
• Perceptions of injustice, lack of recognition, or moral distress increase dissatisfaction and turnover intentions.
• Systemic ethical practices are linked to improved professional well-being.

Conclusions:

• Organizational ethics is fundamental to healthcare workforce sustainability.
• Leadership and policy interventions are needed to promote systemic ethical practices.
• Fairness, recognition, and well-being are key to retaining healthcare professionals.