Introduction: Despite the current shortage of nurses, it is
important to know the reasons nurses want to leave the clinical setting. The purpose of
this study was to explore the experiences of nurses who intend to leave clinical nursing. Methods: In a qualitative content analysis study, data
obtained from 13 in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews with nurses working in
hospitals affiliated to the Tabriz and Urmia University of Medical Sciences in Iran,
selected through purposive sampling. A conventional content analysis was used for data
analysis.Results: Four categories and eleven subcategories emerged
during data analysis. The extracted categories and sub categories consisted of (I) Entry
routes into nursing (implicitly entry, targeted entry), (II) Defects in dignity (lack of
professional vision toward the nurses, social status of nurses), (III) Work in non-ideal
working environment (lack of support, discrimination, conflict, lack of opportunities for
advancement), and (IV) Dissatisfaction with working conditions (heavy workload, lack of
power, unusual working hours). Conclusion: The findings of this qualitative study reflect
professional turnover as a complex, ongoing, multidimensional process. By identifying the
factors responsible, it could be possible to retain nurses in the field.