Predictive Factors of Turnover Intention among Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Lee, Jung Hoon; Song, Yeoungsuk

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to understand morality identity, occupational stress and authentic leadership and identify factors contributing to turnover intention among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses.
METHODS
Data were collected from 230 nurses at the university hospitals in Daegu, Ulsan and Busan between February 15 and March 23, 2017. Instruments measuring turnover intention, moral identity, occupational stress, and authentic leadership were utilized. Statistical analysis included t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlational analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 207 nurses in ICU participated in this study. The power of explanation with age and dependents on turnover intention was 4.1%. With inclusion of occupational stress, moral identity, and authentic leadership factors put into the model, further 20.4% was explained. The explanatory power of the turnover intention in the final model was 23.6% (F=11.63 p<.001), and occupational stress was the key factor explaining turnover intention (Î²=.28, p<.001). Predictive factors contributing to turnover intention were age, occupational stress, moral identity, and authentic leadership in final model.
CONCLUSION
These findings demonstrated occupational stress, moral identity and authentic leadership as critical factors contributing turnover intention of ICU nurses. It is necessary to promote nursing manager's authentic leadership, and to encourage moral identity in ICU nurses. In addition, providing intervention programs to reduce occupational stress for ICU nurses is necessary.