Integral nursing leadership and its association with job satisfaction and turnover intention among nurses: a cross-sectional study

Integral nursing leadership, based on Wilber's Integral Framework, is vital for fostering positive work environments and aligning staff with organizational goals. This study assessed the status of integral nursing leadership and its association with job satisfaction and turnover intention among nurses in Ardabil, Iran. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted from November 2024 to January 2025 with 450 nurses from five hospitals affiliated with Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a demographic form, the Integral Nursing Leadership Scale (INLS), and single-item measures for job satisfaction and turnover intention. Analysis was performed in SPSS-26 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression (p < 0.05). Job satisfaction showed a significant, strong negative correlation with turnover intention (r = -0.585, p < 0.01). The mean score for integral nursing leadership was 3.85 out of 6. Only 37.3% of nurses reported job satisfaction, while 62.7% were dissatisfied and intended to leave. Regression analysis indicated that integral nursing leadership was a significant positive predictor of job satisfaction (B = 0.253, p < 0.001) and a significant negative predictor of turnover intention (B = -0.193, p < 0.001). Higher levels of integral nursing leadership are associated with increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover intention among nurses. This highlights the importance of developing integral leadership qualities to improve workplace culture and retention. Future research should investigate longitudinal effects and develop targeted interventions based on these findings.