Shifting Compasses: A Qualitative Study of Lived Experiences Driving Perioperative Nurses to Leave the Profession Post COVID-19

<b>Background</b>: During the COVID-19 pandemic, perioperative nurses faced extraordinary demands in frontline roles, leading many to leave their positions. This study investigates the factors influencing their decisions to resign or change roles during or after the pandemic, providing insights into systemic, ethical, and emotional contributors to professional attrition. <b>Methods</b>: A qualitative study was conducted at a university hospital in Spain between December 2021 and March 2022. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to analyze the lived experiences of perioperative nurses who worked during the pandemic and subsequently resigned or changed role. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews and analyzed using Atlas.ti (version 22). Ethical issues such as informed consent and participants confidentiality were upheld. <b>Results</b>: Eighteen perioperative nurses participated. Four themes emerged: (1) balancing professional duty and personal limits, (2) the role of workplace culture (emphasizing peer support and managerial neglect), (3) resilience and moral conflict, and (4) the emotional cost of caring. <b>Conclusions</b>: Attrition among perioperative nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic was driven by physical and emotional exhaustion, lack of managerial support, ethical dilemmas, and emotional trauma. Healthcare organizations should implement strategies such as strengthening leadership, providing mental health resources, and creating a supportive work culture to improve staff retention and ensure workforce sustainability in future crises. The clinical implications highlight the need for specific interventions to support the emotional and professional well-being of perioperative nurses, ensuring high quality care and continuity of health services.