01/03/2026
The Top 10 Reasons Nurses Resign
1. Chronic understaffing
One nurse covering what should be two or three roles leads to unsafe care and constant anxiety. Nurses leave not because they do not care, but because they care too much and fear making mistakes.
2. Low salary that does not match the workload
Many nurses work long shifts, night duties, and holidays, yet struggle to meet basic needs. When effort and compensation are far apart, motivation fades.
3. Lack of respect and recognition
Being shouted at, dismissed, or treated as “just a nurse” by patients, relatives, or even colleagues slowly erodes self-worth.
4. Poor management and toxic leadership
Unfair scheduling, favoritism, lack of support during incidents, and managers who do not listen push nurses to walk away.
5. Physical and emotional exhaustion
Back pain, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and burnout are common. Many nurses resign simply to save their health.
6. Limited career growth
When promotions, training, and professional development feel unreachable or biased, nurses look elsewhere.
7. Unsafe working environment
Exposure to violence, infections, faulty equipment, or lack of security makes nurses feel unprotected.
8. Work-life imbalance
Missing family events, holidays, and rest days becomes normal. Over time, nurses choose life over work.
9. Moral distress
Being forced to compromise care due to lack of resources creates guilt and frustration that is hard to carry.
10. Feeling unheard
When concerns are raised repeatedly but ignored, resignation becomes the only way to be heard.
