Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Kimberly Williams, DNSc and Linda Roussel, DSN. College of Nursing, Community Mental Health, University of South Alabama, USA Springhill, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, 228-218-1707, kwilliams@usouthal.edu

This study is seeking to gain knowledge of strategies for retaining the experienced nurse in the health care workforce.

It is imperative that we understand what factors we need to change for improving retention in the nursing workforce. Furthermore, studies show a strain on the nursing work force, in addition to an aging population and increasing acuity of patients. This strain is affecting the current nursing shortage resulting in the loss of workers. Loosing an employee can cost as much as 150% of the lost employee's salary to replace and train inexperience employees, thus further influencing the rising cost of health care. If left to continue, we will be faced with a public health crisis. Therefore, we must engage in ongoing assessments for new strategies focused at retaining experienced nurses.

Methodology for this descriptive qualitative study will consist of collecting multiple group data and triangulation analysis. The goals of triangulation research are to validate and achieve a more thorough comprehension of the concepts of quality of work satisfaction and retention. The researchers hope to determine if best practices can be identified which reinforce the work of Magnet Hospitals. Using information previously gathered through focus groups with active RNs, inactive RNs, and nurse administrators; the researchers will conduct a second round of focus groups with these populations to further exploring previously noted trends causing dissatisfaction and the desire to leave nursing. Recommendations will include administrative strategies for workforce development activities that can be implemented on large segments of health systems.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will recognize factors needed to change for improving retention in the nursing workforce.
• The participant will identify current factor influencing the nursing workforce shortage.
• The participant will articulate administrative strategies for workforce development focused at retaining experienced nurses.

Keywords: Workforce, Nurses

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation