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Issues influencing psychiatric nurse retention during the first year of employment: a case analysis
Author(s) -
KARLOWICZ KAREN A.,
TERNUS MONA P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2934.2008.00850.x
Subject(s) - nursing , nurse administrator , turnover , corporation , task (project management) , variety (cybernetics) , psychology , nursing management , medicine , psychiatry , medline , business , management , political science , finance , artificial intelligence , computer science , law , economics
Aim To explore the work experiences of psychiatric‐registered nurses (RNs) that influence retention within the first year of employment. Background One corporation with four psychiatric inpatient facilities experienced an average RN turnover rate of 54% annually, with approximately 75% of new hires leaving within 6 months of employment. Methods This case analysis used a grounded theory approach involving structured telephone interviews with 14 former and currently employed nurses. Results The nursing role in this organization was limited and task oriented, with issues involving education and training, team dynamics and organizational support converging to influence nurses’ decisions to terminate employment within the first year. Conclusions Retention of psychiatric nurses requires the implementation of a variety of strategies to clarify the role. Implications for nursing Nurse administrators need to review organizational policies and procedures to determine if current practices support the retention of psychiatric nurses.