Association between work-related stress and turnover intention among nurses: A systematic review

Stress at work and nurses' intentions to leave are important factors. Stress at work can lead to illness and even accidents. Stress at work can negatively affect a person's health and quality of life, and nursing is perceived as challenging. The study aimed to determine whether work-related stress and nurses' intentions to leave their jobs were associated. The study's design was based on synthesizing high-quality publications and systematic reviews. Papers were identified from three databases and searched in English from 2015 to 2025. Studies selected for the study met the eligibility criteria comprising articles that described work-related stress, burnout, emotional distress, and occupational stress and articles that evaluated turnover intention, Lack of job fulfillment or factors impacting nurse attrition. Several topics emerged following a thematic analysis. Among the topics covered were the main reasons nurses experience stress at work, how this influences their desire to leave, methods for lowering stress at work, and nurses' plans to leave. The primary causes of work-related stress among nurses were workload, prolonged shifts, strained relationships with coworkers, a lack of professional skills, and inadequate preparation and support to handle the mental health requirements of patients and their families. It was also noted that work-related stress decreased work resilience, burnout and emotional distress, resulting in turnover intentions among nurses. Strategies to mitigate work-related stress include mitigating workload, providing psychological counseling for nurses, and availing stress management training for less experienced nurses. According to the study, work-related stress was linked to nurses' intentions to quit, and essential steps must be taken to reduce nurses' intentions to quit. To help them deal with obstacles in the workplace more effectively, it is necessary to train their employees—primarily nurses—in coping mechanisms and stress management techniques.