Personal and Workplace Characteristics as Predictors of Intent-To-Stay Among Registered Nurses: An Exploratory Quantitative Multicentre Study.

AIM: This study aims to describe and examine the factors associated with registered nurses' intent-to-stay and subsequently identify predictors of nurses' intent-to-stay.

DESIGN

A quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design was used.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 270 registered nurses completed the questionnaire and was included in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to present the sociodemographic characteristics and scores of outcome measures. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression with backward selection were conducted to examine how nurses' characteristics and workplace factors influence nurses' intent-to-stay.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 29.2 years. The mean scores for the outcomes were intent-to-stay (mean = 2.96), resilience (mean = 3.34), occupational self-efficacy (mean = 4.34), sleep quality (mean = 9.73) and workplace environment scores (mean = 3.15). The correlation analysis showed that resilience, occupational self-efficacy, self-realisation and workload were positively correlated to intent-to-stay while sleep quality was negatively correlated to intent-to-stay. Multiple linear regression analysis found occupational self-efficacy, sleep quality, workload, nervousness, nurses' designation and specialisation status to be significant factors associated with intent-to-stay.

CONCLUSION

Intent-to-stay is a complex and multidimensional construct influenced by a variety of personal and workplace factors. Hospital administrators should endeavour to develop measures to improve occupational self-efficacy, workload, nervousness and push for specialisation training to bolster nurses' intent-to-stay.

IMPACT: Against an everchanging healthcare landscape following the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors of registered nurses' intent-to-stay. The findings of this study alluded to the importance of professional development and workload as factors that can influence registered nurses' intent-to-stay. Hospital administrators can prioritise workforce retention policies by introducing strategies such as opportunities for upskilling, flexible working hours and streamlining work processes to promote nurses' intent-to-stay.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.