Evaluating nurse turnover: comparing attitude surveys and exit interviews.
High turnover rates among hospital nurses demand rigorous and valid processes of research to determine the reasons motivating such attrition. In most hospitals, the exit interview often provides the only relevant data. The case study reported here examines the relative effectiveness of exit interviews and an employee attitude survey in generating data that are useful in managing nurse retention. The conclusion reached is that the attitude survey generates more data and higher-quality data. Further, the study shows that the use of open-ended questions can provide useful information and probably should be the starting point in developing or supplementing an attitude survey for nurses. Recommendations for improving the usefulness and validity of nurse attitude surveys and exit interviews in managing nurse retention are provided.
Fottler
M D
MD
School of Health-Related Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294, USA.
Crawford
M A
MA
Quintana
J B
JB
White
J B
JB
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004651:Employment; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015144:Southeastern United States; D000078329:Workforce