Predictors of nurses' intention to stay: Examining the Impact of Healthcare Policy Involvement.

Purpose: This study explores the relationship between nurses' active involvement in healthcare policy development and their intention to stay in their current roles. It aims to assess how this involvement in healthcare policy activities influences their intention to stay in their current.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, the study surveyed nurses across five major publicly funded teaching hospitals in Oman using an online self-administered questionnaire titled the "Involvement in Health Policy Scale." Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of nurses' intention to stay.

Results: Of the 1200 distributed surveys, 1017 responses were usable (85% response rate). The sample was predominantly female (87.9%), with an average age of 35 years. Nurses reported a moderate intention to stay (mean ITS = 3.13, SD = .80). Regression analysis indicated that increased involvement in health policy was a significant positive predictor of intention to stay (β = 0.09, p < .007). More experienced nurses (β = .078, p < .044) and non-Omani nationality (β = 0.213, p < .001) were also positive predictors. Conversely, being single and facing numerous barriers were negative predictors of intention to stay (β = -0.071, p < .008; β = -0.165, p < .001).

Conclusion: The study underscores the positive impact of nurses' involvement in healthcare policy on their intention to stay in their roles. It highlights the necessity for healthcare organizations to foster environments that enhance nurse engagement in policy-making, thereby potentially improving retention rates and sustaining their workforce.