Impact of COVID-19 on intent of nurses to leave current positions, profession

Editor's Note

This study led by nurse researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City, finds a high level of COVID-19 pandemic impact on nurses’ intent to leave their current positions and the nursing profession.

Among 5,000 nurses surveyed, pandemic impact was rated high overall and was highest in those with 25 or more years of experience and in managers and directors.

A total of 11% said they intended to leave their positions, and 20% were undecided. Those who rated the pandemic’s impact at the highest level had a higher intent to leave their positions.

Less than 2% of respondents said they were leaving the nursing profession, and 8% were undecided.

The combination of nurses who intend to leave and those who are uncertain about leaving could cause instability in the workforce, the researchers say.