Quiet Quitting of Job in Nurses Working in Hospitals, a Multicenter Study in Iran

Quiet quitting (QQ), characterized by reduced work engagement and effort, is an emerging concern in healthcare, potentially impacting patient care and organizational outcomes. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of QQ among Iranian nurses.

A 2024 cross-sectional survey was conducted in thirteen hospitals located in the Iranian cities of two provinces in Iran. Nurses were randomly selected by using stratified sampling from various hospital departments. The nine-item QQ scale was adapted and validated for use within the Iranian healthcare environment. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis led to the identification of an optimal quiet quitting scale (QQS) cutoff point of 2.38. To determine key predictors of QQ, logistic regression analysis was employed.

The study included 754 participants (541 females and 213 males) with an average age of 33.17 ± 7.32 years. The prevalence of QQ was 59.5% among Iranian nurses. Among QQS subscales, lack of motivation had the highest average score, while detachment had the lowest mean score. Logistic regression analysis indicated that nurses employed in specialized hospitals and those experiencing higher levels of job burnout had increased odds of engaging in QQ (2.249, 95% CI: 1.581, 3.199, p < 0.001 and 1.49, 95% CI: 1.3, 1.709, p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, higher job satisfaction was associated with lower odds of QQ (0.747, 95% CI: 0.586, 0.954, p = 0.01).

We found the QQ Scale as a valid and reliable tool for nurses in healthcare settings of Iran. Findings demonstrated QQ was prevalent among Iranian nurses and emphasize the role of organizational aspects, particularly hospital type, and individual well-being elements, such as job satisfaction and burnout, in shaping QQ behavior among nurses. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors contributing to QQ and to develop effective strategies for enhancing nurse engagement.