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. 2025 Apr 1;55(4):199-205.
doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001560.

A Qualitative Exploration of Why Novice Nurses Left Their Jobs

Dena D Shore  1 , Susan Letvak, Lynne P Lewallen
Affiliations

A Qualitative Exploration of Why Novice Nurses Left Their Jobs

Dena D Shore et al. J Nurs Adm. .

Abstract

Objective: This qualitative study sought to answer the question "Why are novice nurses leaving their jobs?"

Background: Nearly one-third of all new RNs in the United States left their 1st jobs within a year in 2024. Research is needed to understand why nurses are leaving so interventions can be designed.

Methods: Using qualitative descriptive methodology, 13 nurses from the United States who left their jobs within the 1st 2 years of practice were interviewed.

Results: Two main themes emerged that were related to leaving: Starting out and hitting a wall and Trying to stick it out and couldn't. A 3rd theme, The aftereffects, described the nurses' reflection on their experience and how it impacted their current situation.

Conclusions: Nurse leaders must critically examine the work environment, preceptor training, and novice nurse transition programs to provide swift interventions to staunch the exodus of novice nurses leaving their 1st jobs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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