Reasons for nurse turnover in hospitals
An integrative literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2023.57.2.3203Keywords:
nursing, burnout, job satisfaction, retention of nursesAbstract
Introduction: The global shortage of nurses is a reflection of an ageing society and increased needs of health service users. Nurses' dissatisfaction leads to burnout, which is the leading cause for leaving the profession. The aim of the integrative literature review was to examine the reasons why nurses in hospitals leave the profession.
Methods: An integrative literature review was used. The following keywords were used to search the CINAHL, PubMed and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global databases: 'nursing', 'turnover', 'risk factors', 'burnout', 'job satisfaction'. Research papers in English published between 2011 and 2021 were included. We identified 1,328 hits and used 8 full-text sources for the final analysis: six sources from level six and two sources from level seven of the selected evidence hierarchy. The PRISMA diagram was used to depict the research process. A thematic integrative analysis was conducted to process the data collected.
Results: Integrative thematic analysis was used to identity 25 codes that were grouped into four subthemes and two themes: (1) socio-economic and organizational factors related to leaving the profession; (2) inadequate working conditions and lack of management support.
Discussion and conclusion: Despite the current relevance of the topic, research conducted is mostly intersectional and intervention research was not identified in this integrative review. The knowledge of nurse retention in our cultural environment shoud be upgraded by national retrospective and prospective research that would also provide sound starting points for intervention research.
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