Newly graduated nurses’ intention to leave in their first year of practice in Shanghai: A longitudinal study

Background During the transition, newly graduated nurses undergo complex challenges, which exacerbate their intention to leave. Purpose To examine the longitudinal change of intention to leave and identify the potential factors of intention to leave in the first year. Methods A total of 343 newly graduated nurses were included in this longitudinal study. Nurses were surveyed to explore their intention to leave, occupational stress, coping style, professional identity, and locus of control. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Discussion The high prevalence rate of intention to leave in the first year of practice of newly graduated nurses is alarming. This study reveals that occupational stress and professional identity consistently predict intention to leave. Conclusion In planning retention strategies, nurse managers should provide support to neophyte nurses to reduce their stress and enhance their professional identity.