Factors Influencing Turnover Intention Among Operating Room Nurses in South Korea

Abstract

Background: Operating room nurses experience verbal abuse, high levels of job stress, and burnout that may increase turnover intention.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate and identify factors influencing turnover intention among operating room nurses in South Korea.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. The sample included 193 nurses, all of whom had over 3 months of work experience at operating rooms in hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. Measures used included the Verbal Abuse Experience Scale, Job Stress Scale, Burnout Scale, and Turnover Intention Scale.

Results: Burnout was found to have the greatest influence on turnover intention (β = .34, p < .001), followed by verbal abuse (β = -.23, p = .004), job stress (β = .22, p = .001), age (β = -20, p = .032), and job satisfaction (β = -.14, p = .020).

Conclusions/implications for practice: The findings support burnout and verbal abuse, respectively, as the most significant and second most significant predictors of turnover intention among operating room nurses in South Korea. These factors should be proactively and effectively addressed to reduce turnover intention in this important group of healthcare professionals.