JAMA Netw Open
Why do nurses leave health care and what can employers do about it?
Excluding planned retirements, the major contributing factors to nurses ending health care employment between 2018 and 2021 were burnout and emotional exhaustion, insufficient staffing, and family obligations.
A total of 7,887 nurses (mean age, 60.1 years; 93% female) who recently ended health care employment after a mean of 30.8 years of experience were included in the study.
Although the top contributing factor for leaving health care employment was planned retirement (39% of nurses), other factors such as burnout (26%), insufficient staffing (21%), and family obligations (18%) were also cited.
Study authors conclude that reducing and preventing burnout, improving nurse staffing levels, and supporting nurses’ work-life balance (eg, childcare needs, weekday schedules, and shorter shift lengths) are within the scope of employers and may improve nurse retention.
The age distribution of nurses not employed in health care was similar to that of nurses currently employed in health care, suggesting that a demographically similar, already existing supply of nurses could be attracted back into health care employment.
Source:
Muir KJ, et al. (2024, April 1). JAMA Netw Open. Top Factors in Nurses Ending Health Care Employment Between 2018 and 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38592723/