Nurses’ perception of reasons for turnover: Thematic synthesis of qualitative research studies

Background & Aim: Nurse turnover has long been considered a serious and global issue, contributing significantly to the nursing shortage in healthcare institutions around the world. This study aimed to synthesise evidence from qualitative studies concerning nurses' perceptions of the reasons for their turnover in clinical practice. Methods & Materials: A literature review of qualitative studies was performed according to the PRISMA statement. A systematic search of the literature was performed on five academic databases, specifically Scopus, ProQuest, PubMed, Web of Science, and OVID Nursing. The search identified 10 relevant qualitative studies published between 2013–2024. Primary studies were critically evaluated using the CASP checklist, and thematic synthesis was applied according to the method described by Thomas and Harden. Results: Four analytical themes synthesized from twelve descriptive themes expressing nurses' experiences with their reasons for turnover were synthesized from the primary studies included in this literature review. These reasons were reflected in the following themes: Obstacles in achieving and maintaining professional role; Threatened well-being of nurses in everyday practice; Lack of teamwork and collaboration; Ineffective leadership. Conclusion: The identified themes suggest that nurses experience a wide range of interconnected reasons influencing their decision to leave their positions. These themes highlight actionable areas for healthcare organizations, including leadership reform and burnout mitigation. Addressing these reasons requires a detailed analysis of them, setting long-term strategies at multiple levels with systemic solutions, with a clear vision of how to reduce nurse turnover. The findings of thematic synthesis suggest topics for further research in a deeper understanding of nurse turnover.