Invitation to Participate in Research Study – International Critical Care, Emergency Nurse, and Critical Care Transport Nurse Intent to Stay Study

10th Feb 2026

Thank you for taking interest in this research study, titled the International Critical Care, Emergency Nurse, and Critical Care Transport Nurse Intent to Stay Study. This study aims to examine factors that influence nurses' intent to stay in critical care, emergency, or critical care transport nursing roles, including factors related to your work environment, organization, and the nursing profession.

The study is open to nurses currently working in the areas of critical or intensive care, emergency, or critical care transport in the following countries: Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, South Africa, and the United States.

Purpose of the Study:

The main objective of this survey is to better understand the factors that influence the intent to stay in the specialty of critical care, emergency, or critical care transport nursing. Your insights will contribute to understanding the working conditions and experiences that impact retention within these fields.

Eligibility:

The study is open to any full or part-time registered nurse working in the following specialties:

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Coronary Care Unit (CCU)
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
• Emergency Room (ER)
• Critical Care Transport
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Please note: Casual or per diem nurses are not eligible to participate in this study.

What You Will Need to Do:

Your participation involves completing a brief, anonymous online survey in English that will take approximately 20-30 minutes. The survey is entirely voluntary, and your responses will be anonymous. No personally identifiable information will be collected, ensuring your privacy throughout the process. Participation implies consent to the study, and once submitted, responses cannot be withdrawn due to the anonymous nature of the survey.

Benefits and Risks:

There are no known risks associated with this survey. While there are no direct benefits to you for participating, the results will contribute to valuable insights about critical care, emergency, and transport nursing working conditions and may provide an opportunity for self-reflection on your professional practice.

Confidentiality:

This survey is completely anonymous, and all responses will be stored on secure Mount Royal University servers. No personal identifiers are requested, and the results will only be reported in aggregate form. The study results will be stratified by country and specialty area, but individual responses will not be identifiable.

Ethics Approval:

This study has been approved by the Mount Royal University Human Research Ethics Board (Ethics #104567).

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about the study, please feel free to contact Dr. Sandra Goldsworthy at sgoldsworthy@mtroyal.ca.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to this important study. Your participation will provide valuable insights that could shape the future of critical care, emergency, and critical care transport nursing globally.

Sincerely,
 

International Critical Care, Emergency Nurse, and Critical Care Transport Nurse Intent to Stay Study Project team:

• Principal Investigator:
  • Dr. Sandra Goldsworthy, PhD, MSc, RN, CNCC(C), CMSN(C), CCSNE, Mount Royal University - sgoldsworthy@mtroyal.ca
• Co-Investigators:
  • Heather McLellan MEd., RN, CFRN, CEN, FAASTN, Mount Royal University
  • Joan Harris MSc, RN, Mount Royal University
  • Dr. Isabel Coetzee, University of Pretoria
  • David Waters MA, RN, Birmingham City University
  • Dr. Natalie McEvoy, University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Next Steps:

Survey QR Code:

OR

Survey URL: https://mtroyal.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3HQ7bThOP2jSGwe

*Note* While you may receive multiple invitations, please complete the survey only once.