The study purpose was to generate theory to explain why some hospital staff chose to stay on the job during a prolonged public health crisis.

The “great resignation” of 2021 created shortages across the healthcare industry. Why some healthcare staff chose to stay at work when coworkers were leaving in large numbers through retirement, transition to different careers, or perceived suddenly better clinical opportunities was not clear.

Qualitative Grounded Theory methods guided this research study. Sixteen healthcare workers participated in open-ended interviews that provided data to identify major concepts in an emerging model of commitment during crisis.

A “Commit to Stay” model emerged showing 4 major influences including sense of personal agency, supportive organization, social connections at work, and external connections and influence.

The Commit to Stay conceptual model can help guide nurse leaders as they grapple with supporting those who choose to stay at work in healthcare during intense, sustained healthcare crises.