I Was Merely a Brick in the Game: A Qualitative Study on Registered Nurses’ Reasons for Quitting Their Jobs in Hospitals

Abstract

The aim was to explore why registered nurses (RNs) in Sweden choose to quit their jobs in hospitals, also in relation to experienced patient safety. Previous research has shown that nurse turnover, especially in hospital settings, is a serious challenge for society and health care globally. Insufficient staffing of RNs is linked to poorer patient outcomes and a general patient safety at risk. It is, therefore, important to continually explore how nurses describe their reasons for quitting their jobs. The study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive design, based on 11 semistructured interviews with RNs. The analysis generated four categories describing the results: Feeling that the profession is not valued; Psychological and physical symptoms related to work; An insufficient and unsupportive organization; and Unsatisfying leadership and teamwork. Specifically, the RNs participating in this study described a range of reasons for quitting, where the feeling of not being valued and treated as a respected and autonomous profession was a common thread throughout the results. RNs experienced that, overall, the insufficient work conditions, also resulting in lower patient safety, ultimately led to their decision to quit. The findings highlight the crucial need for employers to develop working conditions for RNs, to make sure that the profession is valued according to professional standards and provide the potential for autonomous nursing practice. To reduce nurse turnover, and instead attract and retain nurses, leadership and management in nursing need to be adjusted to meet the demands of a modern academic profession.