Occupational Diseases, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions Among Head Nurses in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To systematically investigate the prevalence of occupational diseases among head nurses in China, assess their job satisfaction and turnover intentions, and identify associated factors influencing these issues.Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between July 2016 and July 2017, involving 6672 head nurses selected from 1858 hospitals across 30 provinces. A self-administered questionnaire collected data on demographic characteristics, occupational disease status, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions. Statistical analyses, including multivariate binary logistic regression, were performed to identify factors influencing occupational disease and turnover intentions.Results: The majority of participants were female (98.53%) and over 41 years old (78.22%). The prevalence of occupational diseases was significant, with insomnia reported in 66.80%, musculoskeletal disorders in 47.62%, and gastrointestinal issues in 49.36%. A staggering 59.83% indicated intentions to leave their positions, primarily due to high job demands, poor nurse-patient relationships, and dissatisfaction with income relative to work intensity. Multivariate analysis revealed that factors such as gender, age, educational level, and working experience significantly influenced occupational diseases, and factors such as age, monthly income, occupational diseases, and work intensity significantly influenced turnover intentions.Conclusions: The findings highlighted a critical need to address the occupational health and working conditions of head nurses in China. Given the high prevalence of occupational diseases and turnover intentions, effective interventions aimed at improving job satisfaction and reducing occupational stress were essential to enhance the stability and quality of nursing care. Further qualitative investigations were recommended to gain deeper insights into these issues.