Perceptions of the Current Nursing Shortage and Strategies to Increase Staff Retention
Session Title
Final Oral Competition
Faculty Mentor
Joanna Jackson, Ph.D., MSN, RN
College
College of Business Administration
Department
Management & Marketing
Abstract
Determining contributing factors to high turnover rates will allow nursing leaders to implement strategies that improve retention rates and patient health outcomes. This study examined: 1) What factors influence nurses to leave and stay at their job? 2) Does burnout play a role in why nurses leave their job? A mixed-method concurrent triangulation design was used, including a synchronous but separate collection of qualitative and quantitative data. This study included cross-sectional primary data collection through an online survey to examine the working environment, future employment intentions, factors that influence employment intentions, and burnout among nurses. The qualitative component included key semi-structured key-informant interviews. Our sample included 427 survey participants from across the US and five nursing leader interview participants. Work Environment, Salary, Staffing and Leadership have the greatest influence on nurse turnover. Competitive Wages and Benefits and a Healthy Work/Life Balance have the greatest influence on nurses wanting to stay at their job. Interview participants also agreed that these factors influence nurses in wanting to leave and stay at their job. More nurses who have a high degree of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization have considered leaving their employer in the past year, while more nurses who have a high degree of personal accomplishment have not considered leaving their employer in the past year. The nursing shortage has affected nurses' ability to provide complete quality care to patients and led to burnout. Nursing leaders must create a healthy work environment, advocate for improved staffing ratios, higher wages, and improve leadership skills.
Previously Presented/Performed?
Winthrop University McNair Scholars Program Summer Research Symposium, Rock Hill, SC, June 2022; 27th Annual SAEOPP McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 2022; Winthrop University Healthcare Management Internship Presentation Symposium, Rock Hill, SC, August 2022; Creating Healthy Work Environments Conference - Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Austin, TX, February 2023 | Winthrop University Showcase of Winthrop University Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023
Type of Presentation
Oral presentation
Grant Support?
Supported by U.S. Department of Education McNair Grant P217A180094 and Winthrop College of Business Administration
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Perceptions of the Current Nursing Shortage and Strategies to Increase Staff Retention
Determining contributing factors to high turnover rates will allow nursing leaders to implement strategies that improve retention rates and patient health outcomes. This study examined: 1) What factors influence nurses to leave and stay at their job? 2) Does burnout play a role in why nurses leave their job? A mixed-method concurrent triangulation design was used, including a synchronous but separate collection of qualitative and quantitative data. This study included cross-sectional primary data collection through an online survey to examine the working environment, future employment intentions, factors that influence employment intentions, and burnout among nurses. The qualitative component included key semi-structured key-informant interviews. Our sample included 427 survey participants from across the US and five nursing leader interview participants. Work Environment, Salary, Staffing and Leadership have the greatest influence on nurse turnover. Competitive Wages and Benefits and a Healthy Work/Life Balance have the greatest influence on nurses wanting to stay at their job. Interview participants also agreed that these factors influence nurses in wanting to leave and stay at their job. More nurses who have a high degree of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization have considered leaving their employer in the past year, while more nurses who have a high degree of personal accomplishment have not considered leaving their employer in the past year. The nursing shortage has affected nurses' ability to provide complete quality care to patients and led to burnout. Nursing leaders must create a healthy work environment, advocate for improved staffing ratios, higher wages, and improve leadership skills.
