Sick Leave and Intention to Quit the Job among Nursing Staff in German Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Schug C, Geiser F, Hiebel N, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Morawa E, Erim Y (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health MDPI

Book Volume: 19

Article Number: 1947

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19041947

Abstract

Background: Sick leave and turnover of nurses exacerbate an already existing nursing shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and other countries. Frequency and associated factors of sick leave and intention to quit among nurses need to be examined to maintain healthcare. Methods: An online survey among nursing staff (N = 757) in German hospitals was conducted between May and July 2021. Sick leave days, intention to quit, working conditions, depression, anxiety and sleep disorder symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), COVID-19-related and sociode-mographic variables were measured. Regression analyses were performed. Results: The intention to quit was present in 18.9%. One third (32.5%) reported sick leave of ≥10 and 12.3% more than 25 days in 12 months. Significant predictors for ≥10 sick leave days were infection with SARS-CoV-2, a pre-existing illness, exhaustion, trust in colleagues and fear of becoming infected. Higher ERI reward levels, perception of sufficient staff and contact with infected patients were associated with lower odds for ≥10 sick leave days. Lower reward levels, having changed work departments during the pandemic, working part-time and higher depression levels significantly predicted turnover intention. Conclusion: Alarmingly, many nurses intend to quit working in healthcare. Perceived reward seems to buffer both sick leave and turnover intention. Enhancing protection from COVID-19 and reducing workload might also prevent sick leave. Depression prevention, improved change management and support of part-time workers could contribute to reducing turnover intention among nurses.

Authors with CRIS profile

Caterina Schug Professur für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie Eva Morawa Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy Yesim Erim Professur für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Bonn DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Ulm DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Köln DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schug, C., Geiser, F., Hiebel, N., Beschoner, P., Jerg-Bretzke, L., Albus, C.,... Erim, Y. (2022). Sick Leave and Intention to Quit the Job among Nursing Staff in German Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19041947

MLA:

Schug, Caterina, et al. "Sick Leave and Intention to Quit the Job among Nursing Staff in German Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19.4 (2022).

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