Work Satisfaction, Intention to Stay and Hindering Factors Among Staff Nurses in Military Hospital in Saudi Arabia, A Proposed Action Plan

Abstract

This quantitative descriptive-correlational study was conducted among staff nurses in a military hospital in Saudi Arabia to examine the relationships among work satisfaction, workplace hindering factors, and intention to stay, and to provide the basis for developing a Nurse Retention and Satisfaction Enhancement Program (NRSEP). A total of 86 staff nurses participated using a validated researcher-made questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed high levels of work satisfaction (M = 2.94) and intention to stay (M = 2.77). Poor management, staff shortage, and limited career growth emerged as the most common workplace hindering factors. Age significantly influenced work satisfaction and intention to stay (p < .05), whereas no significant differences were found across other demographic variables. Work satisfaction demonstrated a moderate positive relationship with intention to stay (rₛ = .571, p < .001), while workplace hindering factors showed moderate negative relationships with both work satisfaction (rₛ = –.430, p < .001) and intention to stay (rₛ = –.425, p < .001). The study was limited to a single military hospital, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings and warrant further research across multiple healthcare settings. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening leadership, workforce support, employee recognition, and career development to improve nurse retention and provide evidence for implementing the NRSEP as a practical strategy for sustaining a satisfied and stable nursing workforce in military healthcare settings.