Moral Distress and Turnover Intent in the Healthcare System

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed healthcare providers to the limit, with over 60% of nurses and long-term care aids reporting plans to leave their profession due to burnout. This project analyzes sources of and coping strategies to address moral distress, with the aim of informing interventions to improve healthcare worker wellbeing.

By applying an intersectional lens, the project seeks to understand who is most affected by moral distress and the determinants of these experiences. Through mixed methods, including surveys and focus groups, the research aims to expand the concept of moral distress to include unpaid care responsibilities and inform health system responses.

This comprehensive approach will provide insights essential for developing targeted interventions and strengthening healthcare systems for future pandemics.