Nurses quietly quit their job more often than other healthcare workers: An alarming issue for healthcare services

Abstract

AbstractAimTo assess the level of quiet quitting among healthcare workers (HCWs) and identify possible differences between nurses, physicians, and other HCWs. We investigated the impact of sociodemographic variables, job burnout, and job satisfaction on quiet quitting levels.BackgroundThe quiet‐quitting phenomenon is not new but has been frequently discussed during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Interestingly, the level of quiet quitting among HCWs has not been measured yet.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study with a convenience sample. We measured sociodemographic variables, job burnout, job satisfaction, and quiet quitting. We adhered to STROBE guidelines for cross‐sectional studies.FindingsAmong our sample, 67.4% of nurses were quiet quitters, while the prevalence of quiet quitting for physicians and other HCWs was 53.8% and 40.3%, respectively. Multivariable linear regression analysis identified that the levels of quiet quitting were higher among nurses than physicians and other HCWs. Moreover, greater job burnout contributed more to quiet quitting, while less satisfaction implied more quiet quitting. HCWs who work in shifts and those working in the private sector experienced higher levels of quiet quitting.DiscussionMore than half of our HCWs were described as quit quitters. Levels of quiet quitting were higher among nurses. Job burnout and job dissatisfaction were associated with higher levels of quiet quitting.Implications for nursing practice and nursing policyMeasurement of quiet quitting and identification of risk factors are essential to prevent or reduce quiet quitting levels among HCWs. Our study provides information on this field helping managers and organizations to identify quiet quitters within HCWs. Policymakers and managers should develop and implement interventions both at an organizational level and at an individual level.