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.