Factors Influencing Nurse Retention in the Perioperative Workforce: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Nurse retention is a critical issue in perioperative settings.
• Understanding barriers and facilitators is essential for workforce stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore barriers and facilitators affecting perioperative nurse retention in Australia.
• To identify factors influencing nurses' decisions to stay in or leave perioperative roles.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study utilizing semistructured interviews.
• Online and telephone interviews were conducted with 23 perioperative nurses.
• Systematic Text Condensation analysis with NVivo software was employed.

Main Results:

• Key barriers identified: excessive workloads, poor support, limited development, negative culture, and inadequate compensation.
• Primary retention driver: strong sense of job identity.
• Facilitators include manageable workloads, professional growth, inclusive culture, robust support, and fair pay.

Conclusions:

• Excessive workloads, limited support, and poor development opportunities significantly hinder perioperative nurse retention.
• Targeted investment in personnel and leadership is crucial for sustainable perioperative nursing workforce.
• Addressing identified barriers can improve job satisfaction and retention rates.