TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring nurses' experiences
T2 - Abandoning the profession and migrating for improved opportunities
AU - Galbany-Estragués, Paola
AU - Giménez-Lajara, Miquel Àngel
AU - Jodar-Solà, Glòria
AU - Casañas, Rocio
AU - Romeu-Labayen, Maria
AU - Gomez-Gamboa, Encarnación
AU - Canet-Vélez, Olga
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/6
Y1 - 2024/6
N2 - Aim: This study explores nurses' experiences in migration for employment and professional abandonment in Barcelona (Spain). Methods: Employing a mixed-design approach comprising 1) a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study, followed by 2) a subsequent cross-sectional study, 20 and 225 nurses participated in each study, respectively. Qualitative data, gathered through 4 focus group discussions, underwent inductive thematic analysis, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines, while quantitative data were descriptively analyzed. Findings: Three qualitative themes emerged: 1) Migration motives, such as improved job opportunities, permanent contracts, continuous training, and professional recognition; 2) Reasons for leaving or contemplating leaving the profession, including excessive workload, lack of recognition, limited development, and exhaustion; 3) Nurses' needs, encompassing more staffing, improved remuneration, permanent contracts, flexible schedules, greater autonomy, and career growth. The cross-sectional study revealed a 13.5 % professional abandonment rate at some point across all demographics and seniority levels. Migration trends varied by professional experience, with younger nurses seeking better conditions and opportunities elsewhere. Conclusions: Multifactorial causes underlie job migration and professional abandonment, necessitating comprehensive interventions to improve nurses' working and professional conditions.
AB - Aim: This study explores nurses' experiences in migration for employment and professional abandonment in Barcelona (Spain). Methods: Employing a mixed-design approach comprising 1) a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study, followed by 2) a subsequent cross-sectional study, 20 and 225 nurses participated in each study, respectively. Qualitative data, gathered through 4 focus group discussions, underwent inductive thematic analysis, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines, while quantitative data were descriptively analyzed. Findings: Three qualitative themes emerged: 1) Migration motives, such as improved job opportunities, permanent contracts, continuous training, and professional recognition; 2) Reasons for leaving or contemplating leaving the profession, including excessive workload, lack of recognition, limited development, and exhaustion; 3) Nurses' needs, encompassing more staffing, improved remuneration, permanent contracts, flexible schedules, greater autonomy, and career growth. The cross-sectional study revealed a 13.5 % professional abandonment rate at some point across all demographics and seniority levels. Migration trends varied by professional experience, with younger nurses seeking better conditions and opportunities elsewhere. Conclusions: Multifactorial causes underlie job migration and professional abandonment, necessitating comprehensive interventions to improve nurses' working and professional conditions.
KW - Intention to leave
KW - Migration
KW - Nursing
KW - Quit
KW - Retention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85190745625&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151787
DO - 10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151787
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85190745625
SN - 0897-1897
VL - 77
JO - Applied Nursing Research
JF - Applied Nursing Research
M1 - 151787
ER -