Determinants of nurse faculty intention to remain employed

Shortage of nurses is a major concern across healthcare systems. One contributing factor that has received little attention is the shortage of adequately prepared nurse faculty. The nurse shortage will be exacerbated if the supply of adequately prepared nurse faculty is insufficient. Little is known about the factors that influence nurse faculty to remain employed. Focus groups were conducted in 2011 with nurse faculty from both colleges and universities in Ontario, Canada. Six focus groups including 37 participants were held with different groups of nurse faculty in geographically diverse areas of the province. Focus group transcripts were reviewed by five members of the research team using thematic analysis strategies to identify factors related to nurse faculty intention to remain employed. Nurse faculty members’ intention to remain employed was influenced by factors that fell into four thematic categories: personal characteristics, work environment and organizational support, job content, and external characteristics. Each thematic category includes several factors reported to influence nurse faculty intention to remain employed. The “Determinants of Nurse Faculty Intention to Remain Employed” Model is hypothesized. Strategies to address modifiable factors and support non-modifiable factors are suggested to promote retention of nurse faculty. Additional research is needed to test the hypothesized model of nurse faculty intention to remain employed