Factors Influencing Nurses’ Intention to Leave and Intention to Stay: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Nursing retention is a critical issue for organization. High nurses’ turnover impact negatively on an organization requirement to meet patient needs and quality care. This integrative review aims to critically review and synthesize published studies to obtain better understanding of the determinants of nurse’s intention to leave or stay in the organization. Thirty-seven studies which met the inclusion criteria from different locations using a variety of instruments and research designs were identified using PRISMA guideline. Many factors including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, quality of work life, work environment, leadership style, bullying at work, family reason, and job security were identified to be associated negatively with nurse’s intention to leave and positively with intention to stay in organization. More qualitative studies are needed to understand in depth, the reasons and factors that underlie and influence turnover, intention to leave or remain in organization.