Korean J Adult Nurs.  2014 Dec;26(6):681-692. 10.7475/kjan.2014.26.6.681.

Qualitative Study on Clinical Nurses' Intention to Stay in Hospital

• Park KO
• Kim JK
• Kim SY

• KMID: 2298158
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2014.26.6.681

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experience of hospital nurses regarding their intention to stay at hospital.
METHODS
Experiential data were collected from 10 experienced nurses through in-depth interviews. The main question was "Could you describe your experience and your work during your years at the hospital?" Qualitative data from the field and transcribed notes were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology.
RESULTS
The core category of experience regarding hospital nurses' intention to stay was 'following a stable rather than a challenging path'. Participants used three interactional strategies: 'being encouraged via rapport with peers', 'accept reality', and 'find vitality in academic pursuits'.
CONCLUSION
The retention of experienced nurses is critical to human resource management in nursing departments. This study found that experienced nurses have a vague uncertainty about their future in the hospital. Therefore, nursing managers should support experienced nurses by providing them with the opportunities needed to develop their careers, by managing conflicts in nursing units, and by implementing new programs to increase confidence.

MeSH Terms

Humans
Intention*
Nursing
Qualitative Research
Uncertainty