Background: Job persistence among nurses is essential for optimal, safe functioning of the health-care system. Though the acute effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have abated, first-year nurse turnover remains high. Purpose: To determine the best ways to encourage new nurses to stay in their positions, we must first understand why they are leaving. Methods: We did a multi-state survey of RNs newly licensed in 2021 about their perceptions of patient safety culture, grit (the combination of passion and perseverance), professional satisfaction, and intention to leave during their first year of practice. Conclusions: Half of the respondents left their first position during the first year. Perceptions of patient safety, grit, and levels of professional satisfaction were significantly correlated with turnover intention. Implications for Practice: Both health-care and academic institutions must create cultures in which new nurses feel safe, supported, able to give quality patient care, and able to communicate openly.
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