The effects of race and workplace racism on nurses' intent to leave the job: The mediating roles of job dissatisfaction and emotional distress.

BACKGROUND

There is scant evidence of quantifiable effects of workplace racism on nurses' job-related outcomes.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to examine associations among race, workplace racism, emotional distress, job dissatisfaction, and intent to leave among hospital-based nurses.

METHODS

This study used a correlational design with six measures in a statewide sample of 788 hospital-based nurses.

FINDINGS

Non-White nurses intended to leave the job at a higher rate than White nurses. Non-White nurses reported negative racial climates, multiple racial microaggression experiences, and high job dissatisfaction and emotional distress. Non-white race and workplace racism had significant individual effects on intent to leave. Job dissatisfaction and emotional distress significantly mediated indirect effects of non-White race, negative racial climates, and racial microaggressions on nurses' intent to leave.

DISCUSSION

In efforts to retain nurses of color in hospitals, there is an urgent need to mitigate workplace racism in these settings.