Research Projects

Nurse Disaffection Project

The project Disaffection towards the nursing profession among nursing students and newly qualified nurses analyses the phenomenon of disaffection towards the nursing profession among nursing students and newly qualified nurses, in the context of the global shortage of professionals identified by international bodies and various reports on the state of nursing. The main objective is to identify the personal, educational, and organisational factors that may influence the intention to abandon studies or professional practice during university training and the early years of one’s career.

The project has been developed at EUIT Centre Universitari (EUIT-UAB). The principal investigator (PI) is Dr Guadalupe Sánchez-Rueda, and the research team comprises Dr Núria Codern-Bové, Dr Silvia Bleda García, and Dr Maite Sanz Osorio, lecturers and researchers affiliated with the OCCARE research group.

Methodologically, the study is based on a descriptive observational design using questionnaires directed at students enrolled in the Nursing degree (from the first to the fourth year) and at recently graduated nurses. Variables related to burnout, resilience, and perception of the profession were analysed using internationally validated instruments such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

The findings indicate that emotional exhaustion may begin during university training and persist into the early years of professional practice, which can influence the intention to leave the profession. This evidence highlights the need to promote educational and organisational strategies aimed at improving emotional wellbeing, strengthening professional motivation, and fostering the retention of nursing talent.

The project has been funded by the Spanish National Conference of Nursing Deans (CNDE). The preliminary results have been presented at the INVESTEN-ISCIII International Congress and are currently undergoing scientific dissemination, with publication expected in JCR-indexed journals. This project contributes to generating relevant evidence for the development of educational and professional policies aimed at the retention and development of nursing talent.

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