title: Surgical nurses' intention to leave a workplace in Iceland: a questionnaire study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore surgical nurses' reported determinants of intention to leave a workplace.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nurses' work environment influences nurses' intent to leave the workplace.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, quantitative study design using a structured questionnaire was used to measure the intention of all nurses (n = 383; 49% response rate) working at the surgical division at Landspítali-The National University Hospital of Iceland to leave a practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low general job satisfaction, followed by little praise from nurse managers and having to perform unprofessional work had the greatest influence on nurses' intention to leave a workplace. In addition, nurses who found their own knowledge respected, but were not pleased with the work were more likely to consider leaving.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A lack of praise by unit managers, engagement in unprofessional work, low job satisfaction coupled with having ones' knowledge respected and a non-competitive work climate are factors contributing to nurses' intention to leave. Factors contributing to nurses' intention to leave may result in a lack of interest in work, low morale and may ultimately lead to unsafe patient care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Managers benefit from building and supporting a work morale that fosters nurses' intentions to stay in a professional work environment. This includes providing nurses with regular feedback about clinical work.
authors.affiliation: University of Iceland, Faculty of Nursing, Reykjavík, Iceland; Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland.
authors.forename: Herdís
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sveinsdóttir
authors.forename: Katrín
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blöndal
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: intention to leave; job satisfaction; praise; professional practice; surgical nursing; work load