Intention to leave among nurses during the COVID‐19 outbreak: A rapid systematic review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Aims and ObjectivesThe COVID‐19 pandemic has caused an increase in the workload of nurses and changes in working conditions. Stress and the increase in workload during the COVID‐19 pandemic had a negative effect on nurses' intention to leave. This study aimed to determine the current rate of intention to leave the job among nurses during the COVID‐19 outbreak by conducting a rapid systematic review and meta‐analysis.Methodology/MethodsThe review procedure was conducted by the PRISMA criteria. The researchers searched PubMed and Web of Science databases for studies providing the rate of nurses' intent to leave, published until 31 December 2021. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test, and publication bias was measured by Egger's test.ResultsThe estimated overall intent to leave the profession among nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic was 31.7% (95% CI: 25%–39%) with significant heterogeneity (Q test: 188.9; p = 0.0001; I2: %95.2; Tau2: 0.225). Additionally, Egger's regression test suggested no publication bias for estimating the pooled rate of nurses' intent to leave during the COVID‐19 outbreak.No Patient or Public ContributionSince the research is a meta‐analysis study, a literature review model was used. Ethics committee approval was not obtained because the literature review did not directly affect humans and animals.ConclusionThis study showed that approximately one‐third of nurses working during the COVID‐19 pandemic had thoughts about intending to leave their job. The findings indicate the need for strategies involving precautions and solutions to minimise the psychological impacts of COVID‐19 among nurses.Relevance to Clinical PracticeIn this period when the global nurse crisis exists, it is of great importance for institutions to retain their nurse workforce. There is an urgent need to prepare nurses to cope better with COVID‐19 pandemic. Identification of risk factors for intention to leave could be a significant weapon giving nurses and healthcare systems the ability to response in a better way against the following COVID‐19 waves in the near future.

The Impact of Leadership Styles of Nurse Managers on Nurses’ Motivation and Turnover Intention Among Jordanian Nurses

“…Additionally, it was shown in a systematic review that was conducted by Ulpinar et al in 2022 that approximately one-third of nurses working during COVID-19 pandemic had thoughts about intending to leave their jobs. 52 …”

Reframing care while enduring the traumatic nature of witnessing disrupted family‐patient‐nurses' relationships during COVID‐19

“…It is possible that these universal nursing experiences may take a toll on the health of the nurse and the nursing profession for some time, increasing the rate at which nurses leave the profession prior to usual retirement ages. Indeed, 31.7 per cent of nurses across ten studies in a systematic review and meta‐analysis (Ulupınar & Erden, 2022) and 24.6 per cent of 890 nurses surveyed in one state of Brazil intended to leave the profession during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Kantorski et al, 2022). Factors contributing to whether or not to leave the profession included commitment and work conscience, fear of family infection and shortages of personal protective equipment, and organizational atmosphere (Varasteh et al, 2022).…”

One-third of nurses intend to leave their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…These factors impacted nurses’ psychological well-being and led to increased reports of nurses intending to leave their jobs. This rapid systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the literature of rate of nurses’ intent to leave their job from the psychological impact during COVID-19 2…”

“…Ulupınar and Erden conducted a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis 2. The methods employed were strong; however, each study included small sample sizes, diverse populations (ie, nurse managers, practitioners) and specialties (ie, intensive care, emergency room) limiting generalisability.…”

“…The authors synthesise the evidence on strategies to retain nurses including increasing competencies in caring for COVID-19 patients, ensuring personal protective equipment (PPE) and providing psychological support 2. Additional interventions include strengthening communication between management and clinical nurses, implementing innovative staffing models such as tiered nursing or flex shifts, providing areas for nurses to recuperate and ensuring warehouses of PPE.…”