Drivers of frontline registered nurse turnover: Evidence from the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses

Introduction The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing workforce persist. Methods We analyzed the latest National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses data to identify the drivers of actual, self-reported turnover among 8,953 frontline registered nurses using multivariable regression. Results The turnover rate was 28.7%. Nurses dissatisfied with their primary position were over 2.5 times more likely to turnover. Nurses enrolled in school or holding graduate degrees demonstrated higher actual turnover rates, likely due to the incompatibility of rigid work schedules with academic demands and increased marketability. Participation in a labor union/collective bargaining participation was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of nurses’ turnover. Conclusion Our findings identify immediate policy levers—such as flexible or non-traditional scheduling options—that organizations can deploy to improve job satisfaction, work-life balance, and curb costly turnover.