How initial career choice motives influence nurse turnover decisions
Ifeyimika O Ajaiyeoba1, Gregory N Orewa2,3, Nero Edevbie4
1Business Department, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA.
Journal of Health Organization and Management
|February 23, 2026
Summary
Initial career choice motives significantly impact nurses' long-term professional commitment and reduce turnover intentions. Understanding these motivations is key for healthcare organizations to improve nurse retention.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Workforce Research
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing nursing work attitudes is crucial for retention.
- Initial career choice motives (CCMs) may shape long-term professional outcomes.
- Limited research exists on the lasting impact of CCMs in nursing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of initial career choice motives on subsequent nursing work attitudes and outcomes.
- To examine the indirect effects of CCMs on organizational commitment and self-efficacy.
- To link pre-entry career motivations to long-term career outcomes in nursing.
Main Methods:
- Path analysis with bootstrapping was employed.
- Survey data from nurses assessed initial career motives and current work attitudes.
- Indirect effects of CCMs on organizational commitment and self-efficacy were tested.
Main Results:
- CCMs demonstrate lasting effects on attitudes, perceptions, and career decisions.
- Nurses with intrinsic motivations showed stronger professional commitment (PC).
- Intrinsic motivations were associated with lower turnover intentions.
Conclusions:
- CCMs and occupational coping self-efficacy (OCSE) impact nurses' PC and turnover intentions.
- Healthcare organizations can improve retention via onboarding, mentorship, and psychological safety.
- Recruiting intrinsically motivated nurses and offering career support can reduce turnover.
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