Understanding the role of burnout on nurses’ quit intentions in the context of healthcare organizations of Hungary

Nurse burnout and workforce attrition represent critical challenges for healthcare organizations worldwide. This study examines how job demands and job resources are associated with burnout and how burnout relates to psychological factors shaping nurses' intention to remain in the profession. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the research integrates organizational and behavioral perspectives to explain retention processes in hospital nursing. Empirical data were collected through a cross-sectional quantitative survey among 288 hospital nurses employed in public and private healthcare institutions in Hungary. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the relationships between relevant variables. The results indicate that workload has a strong positive association with burnout, while autonomy and regular supportive feedback function as important protective resources. Burnout was significantly associated with less favorable attitudes toward remaining in the profession and lower perceived behavioral control, both of which were strong predictors of intention to stay. The findings highlight the importance of addressing both organizational working conditions and psychological mechanisms when seeking to improve nurse retention.