Factors Influencing Malaysian Nurses’ Intention to Leave: A Qualitative Study

Background: Intention to leave is the strongest predictor of actual turnover, and understanding the factors that influence this decision is crucial to retaining qualified nurses.

Aim: The objective of the study was to explore the factors contributing to nurses’ intention to leave.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with ten guided questions. It was conducted at a Malaysian teaching hospital in medical, surgical, and critical care units. Fifteen nurses, who had worked as nurses for more than six months, were recruited. The interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed using thematic analysis. NVivo version 10 software was used for coding, organizing, creating audit trails, and retrieving data.

Results: The study revealed that among the nurses, all were female, aged between 23 and 43 years old. Nearly half of the nurses were single. More than half had less than six years of work experience and were from the surgical ward. Four main themes with ten subthemes were identified: work-life and family balance, work environment, nurses’ image in the community, and job opportunities. These themes were considered important factors leading to the nurses’ intention to leave.

Conclusion: The propensity of nurses to leave can be minimized by enhancing the quality of the work environment and workplace. Nurses who feel that their organizations support their achievements and well-being by encouraging them to perform their tasks effectively and manage stressful situations will be more committed to their organizations and exhibit a greater sense of loyalty compared to those who do not feel this support.