Jed, DuffAlsaif, Turki2023-07-272023-07-272023-07-21https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/68725Nursing is one of the largest healthcare professions in the Kingdom and has been steadily growing for over three decades. Nurses work with people in every stage of life and all settings. In the KSA, Islamic belief influences the practice of nurses through the different healthcare belief systems, the stakeholders' cultural backgrounds, the recruitment and selection process, and the professional regulatory body.Background: The nursing shortage in Saudi Arabia has resulted in many disparities in the quality of care nationwide. In addressing this shortage, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the current nursing workforce and determine the areas of focus for planning performance development, to meet the population’s healthcare needs. Objectives: This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how nursing leaders perceive the impact of nursing shortages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Furthermore, it sought to explore the challenges nurses face, identify the causes of current nursing workforce shortages, and examine the contextual factors contributing to it. Methods: The study used a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with nursing leaders in KSA. In this qualitative study, whether online or face-to-face, nurse leaders were interviewed to assess their perception of factors that affect the nursing shortage in Saudi Arabia. A total of 13 nurse leaders participated in this study using semi-structured interviews. This interpretive descriptive study searched the experience and perception of nurse leaders who have experienced as a nursing leader more than five years. The data was analysed using thematic (inductive and deductive) analysis. Results: The findings are three main themes analysed from the 13 interviews with nursing leaders in KSA: nursing workforce entry, nursing workforce challenges, and workforce exit. Every central theme has sub-themes. The first theme is nursing workforce entry, which includes two sub-themes: recruitment plan and education. The second central theme is nursing workforce challenges, and it has five sub-themes: absenteeism, work condition, culture, financial support, and skilled staff. The final central theme is exiting the nursing workforce, and it has four main sub-themes: migration, resignation, career change, and retirement. Conclusion: This study shows the impact of nursing shortages. The repercussions on their performance were addressed in broad themes and sub-themes. The nurse leaders’ experiences have added a deep understanding of the nursing shortage’s causes and challenges. Moreover, it highlighted the policies that may affect the nursing workforce's current situation.112enAccess to HealthcareHospital Nursing ServicesLeadersShortage of NursingNursingNurses ShortagesWorkforceThesis