Registered nurses’ perspectives of work satisfaction, patient safety and intention to stay – A double‐edged sword

AIM: To describe job satisfaction in registered nurses (RNs), their intention to stay at their current workplace and in the profession and to explore patient safety in relation to these. BACKGROUND: Nurse turnover presents a serious challenge to health care that may be predicted by factors related to the work environment. METHOD: Descriptive design with 25 qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Five categories were identified: RNs feel satisfied when providing person-centred care; RNs enjoy the variability of the nursing job, but want control; RNs feel frustrated when care is put on hold or left undone; RNs depend on team collaboration and the work environment to assure patient safety; intention to stay depends on the work environment and a chance for renewal. CONCLUSION: Registered nurses' job satisfaction could be described as a double-edged sword. Although the profession is described as a positive challenge, work overload threatens both job satisfaction and patient safety. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Our findings suggest that nursing leadership can increase RNs' intention to stay by meeting their needs for appreciation, a better work environment, competence development and professional career development.