Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Experiences of Newly Licensed Nurses in Clinical Practice

Objective: Describe qualitative factors explaining why newly licensed nurses (NLNs) intend to stay or leave clinical practice. Background: One in 3 NLNs will leave nursing within 1 year of entry into practice. Understanding factors related to NLN retention is imperative to address workforce shortages. Methods: Descriptive statistical analysis of demographics and qualitative analysis of 3 open-ended survey questions, from a larger study, distributed via email through Listservs for NLNs licensed ≤5 years. Results: One hundred twenty NLNs responded. Themes for intent to stay are cultural fit, schedule, and being a part of a healthy work environment. Reasons for intent to leave include work environment, current treatment of nurses, and personal well-being. Conclusions: Flexibility, appreciation, and healthy work environments are factors valued by NLNs when determining their intent to stay or leave nursing. Younger NLNs place greater emphasis on work-life balance, salary, and support. Nurse administrators play a pivotal role in influencing factors that have been identified to enhance NLN retention.