A cross-sectional study conducted from October 2022 to January 2023 surveyed 2572 nurses in Bavaria, Germany, to assess post-COVID job satisfaction, key work dimensions, and self-reported factors influencing nursing retention. The study used quantitative analysis, including multivariable regression, and qualitative analysis of open-ended questions. Results showed that 43.2% of nurses were not committed to staying in the profession for the next 12 months. Key sources of dissatisfaction included service organization, documentation, codetermination, and payment. Nurses with older age, living alone, not working in elder care, satisfactory working hours, career choice, career opportunities, satisfactory payment, and adequate working/rest times were more likely to remain in the profession. Conversely, dissatisfaction in supporting people increased the likelihood of leaving. Nurses had strong empathy for their profession but yearned for improvements due to unmet expectations. Policy implications should focus on younger nurses and those in elderly care. The study highlights the need for further research due to potential bias from convenience sampling and the potential of digitalization to improve documentation and direct patient care. The study contributes to understanding nursing conditions from the nurses' perspective in Germany, identifying important values and improvements in working conditions to develop evidence-based measures. Key findings include the importance of time for patient care, work-family reconciliation, and leadership recognition. Nurses expressed concerns about staffing, duty scheduling, payment, and health-related challenges. Qualitative data emphasized the need for better documentation, reduced bureaucracy, and improved corporate and team culture. Digitalization was seen as a potential solution to improve efficiency and direct patient care. The study underscores the need for policies addressing nurses' satisfaction and retention, particularly in light of the aging population and increasing healthcare demands.A cross-sectional study conducted from October 2022 to January 2023 surveyed 2572 nurses in Bavaria, Germany, to assess post-COVID job satisfaction, key work dimensions, and self-reported factors influencing nursing retention. The study used quantitative analysis, including multivariable regression, and qualitative analysis of open-ended questions. Results showed that 43.2% of nurses were not committed to staying in the profession for the next 12 months. Key sources of dissatisfaction included service organization, documentation, codetermination, and payment. Nurses with older age, living alone, not working in elder care, satisfactory working hours, career choice, career opportunities, satisfactory payment, and adequate working/rest times were more likely to remain in the profession. Conversely, dissatisfaction in supporting people increased the likelihood of leaving. Nurses had strong empathy for their profession but yearned for improvements due to unmet expectations. Policy implications should focus on younger nurses and those in elderly care. The study highlights the need for further research due to potential bias from convenience sampling and the potential of digitalization to improve documentation and direct patient care. The study contributes to understanding nursing conditions from the nurses' perspective in Germany, identifying important values and improvements in working conditions to develop evidence-based measures. Key findings include the importance of time for patient care, work-family reconciliation, and leadership recognition. Nurses expressed concerns about staffing, duty scheduling, payment, and health-related challenges. Qualitative data emphasized the need for better documentation, reduced bureaucracy, and improved corporate and team culture. Digitalization was seen as a potential solution to improve efficiency and direct patient care. The study underscores the need for policies addressing nurses' satisfaction and retention, particularly in light of the aging population and increasing healthcare demands.