Factors associated with nursing home direct care professionals’ turnover intent during the COVID-19 pandemic

•Identification of modifiable factors associated with turnover intent among direct care professionals in nursing homes – especially during the stressful working conditions of the pandemic - is important for preventing turnover which negatively effects residents’ health.•Job satisfaction is the main driver of turnover intent. Direct care professionals reporting higher job satisfaction were more likely to report intent of remaining in their job.•Provision of high-quality communication and training are strategies to increase job satisfaction and lessen the chance of turnover intent among direct care professionals in nursing homes. To identify factors related to turnover intent among direct care professionals in nursing homes during the pandemic. Cross-sectional study with surveys administered via an employee management system to 809 direct care professionals (aides working in nursing homes). Single items assessed COVID-19-related work stress, preparedness to care for residents during COVID-19, job satisfaction, and intent to remain in job. A two-item scale assessed quality of organizational communication. Path analysis demonstrated that only higher job satisfaction was associated with a higher likelihood of intent to remain in job. Higher quality of employer communication and greater preparedness were also associated with higher job satisfaction, but not with intent to remain. Higher quality communication and greater preparedness mediated the negative impact of COVID-19-related work stress on job satisfaction. Provision of high-quality communication and training are essential for increasing job satisfaction and thus lessening turnover intent in nursing homes.