Retention and Associated Factors among Nurses in Small- and Medium-Sized Hospitals across South Korea

Purpose : This study aimed to identify factors associated with among nurse retention in small- and medium-sized hospitals. Methods : A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted among 357 nurses from 74 hospitals nationwide. Data were collected between May 16 and June 10, 2024. Results : The mean nurses’ retention scored 5.11±1.70 out of 8 points. Factors influencing nurse retention included desire for department transfer (β=.27, p ＜.001), marital status (β=.17, p =.003), less than 12 months of clinical experience (β=.20, p ＜.001), more than 60 months of clinical experience (β=.19, p =.002), hospital location in Gwangju/Jeolla (β=.17, p =.001), nursing system (β=.15, p =.003), primary motive for choosing the hospital (β=.16, p = .001), weekly overtime (β=-.15, p =.002), and number of night shifts (β=-.12, p =.018). These variables explained 25.0% of the variance in nurse retention. Conclusion : Flexible staffing, improved work environments, and expanded educational support systems are essential for stabilizing the nursing workforce in small- and medium-sized hospitals. Tailored retention strategies can help maintain a sustainable and engaged nursing workforce in clinical settings.