Aim: To explore factors that influence registered nurses' intention to stay working in the healthcare sector.
Design: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.
Methods: CINAHL, Medline and Cochrane library databases were searched from Jan 2010 to Jan 2022 inclusive and research selected using a structured criterion, quality appraisal and data extraction and synthesis were guided by Campbell's Synthesis Without Meta-analysis.
Results: Thirty-four studies identified that nurses stay if they have job satisfaction and/or if they are committed to their organizations. The factors permeating these constructs weigh differently through generations and while not an infallible explanation, demonstrate stark differences in workplace needs by age, which influence the intention to stay, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and ultimately nurse turnover.
Public contribution: Environmental, relational and individual factors have bearing on improving nurse satisfaction and commitment. Understanding why nurses stay through a generational behavioural and career stage lens can bolster safeguarding nurse retention.
Keywords: intention to stay; nurse retention; systematic review; turnover.
© 2023 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.