Exploring the relationship between job satisfaction, burnout, intent to leave, and desire to work abroad among doctors and nurses.

BackgroundHigh turnover and emigration among healthcare professionals have raised serious concerns about workforce stability and the quality of patient care in Turkey.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study investigated the relationships among job satisfaction, burnout, turnover intentions, and the desire to work abroad.MethodsSurvey data were collected from 336 doctors and nurses and analyzed using structural equation modeling.ResultsFindings indicate that job satisfaction is negatively associated with intent to leave (β = -0.24, p < 0.001), whereas burnout was positively associated with intent to leave (β = 0.59, p < 0.001). Burnout partially mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and intent to leave (indirect β = -0.35, p < 0.001). Job satisfaction and burnout together explained 57% of the variance in intent to leave, while intent to leave explained 28% of the variance in desire to go abroad. Demographic analyses showed that younger doctors reported higher burnout, and single nurses reported a higher desire to work abroad and intent to leave.ConclusionThese findings underscore the need for enhanced workplace conditions, career development opportunities, and effective strategies to mitigate burnout and retain qualified healthcare professionals, thereby stabilizing the healthcare system.