# Impact of Moral Distress, Person-Centred Care, and Nursing Professional Pride on Turnover Intention Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how moral distress and professional pride affect ICU nurses' desire to leave their jobs in South Korea.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific factors influencing turnover intention among ICU nurses in South Korea.

## Key findings

- Role satisfaction and willingness to stay in nursing professional pride reduce turnover intention.
- Futile care-related moral distress increases turnover intention among ICU nurses.
- The identified factors explain 24.9% of the variance in turnover intention.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Turnover intention among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses remains consistently higher than that observed in other clinical departments. A weakened professional identity and exposure to ethically challenging situations may further intensify nurses’ intention to leave. This study aimed to examine the influence of moral distress, person-centred care, and nursing professional pride on turnover intention among ICU nurses in South Korea. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a convenience sample of 203 ICU nurses from three general hospitals in South Korea. Data were obtained between 26 September and 31 October 2024 and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 29.0.2.0, with t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Two subdomains of nursing professional pride—role satisfaction and willingness to stay—along with gender (male) and the futile care subdomain of moral distress were the main factors influencing turnover intention. These variables collectively explained 24.9% of the variance in turnover intention (F = 17.78, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Strengthening nursing professional pride—particularly role satisfaction and willingness to stay—and reducing futile care-related moral distress may help lower ICU nurses’ turnover intention. Organisational strategies, including ethical management programmes and supportive policies, are recommended to enhance nursing professional pride, alleviate moral distress, and promote long-term nurse retention.