Experiences of Hospital Nurses Who Resigned from Employment Citing Job-Related Difficulties

Abstract

This study aims to understand the experiences of hospital nurses who resigned from their employment citing job-related difficulties, and identify their characteristics. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews from 13 nurses who resigned from a hospital in less than three years of joining, from had thought of it for at least six months prior to their actual resignation. According to the analysis, 21 concepts emerged. Some of these include smooth job performance through accumulation of clinical experience and job performance with inertia, accumulation of mental and physical burden owing to challenges in adapting to the working environment, searching for new goals and determination to resign, and inability to establish goals. The concepts that represented the experience of nurses who resigned from their job contained eight further characteristics, including fulfilling their duties as a nurse, facing job-related difficulties, and a loss of goals that affected their willingness to continue work. Our results can be used by nurses considering resigning to view their job performance status objectively, deal with their problems, and orient their future. In addition, the findings will help nursing staff offer necessary support to nurses who are considering resigning.