title: New graduate nurse self-concept and retention: a longitudinal survey.
abstract: Graduate nurse attrition is an increasing phenomenon within a world of decreasing nursing numbers. The newly developed nursing self-concept of the graduate nurse may provide a key indicator for predicting graduate retention. This study explores the development of multiple dimensions of nursing self-concept and examines their relationship to graduate nurse retention plans. A descriptive survey design with repeated measures was utilised to assess nurse self-concept and retention plans. The key findings suggest that multiple dimensions of graduate nurse self-concepts rise significantly in the second half of their graduate year and that nurse general self-concept is a strong predictor of graduate nurse retention. The implications of this study are that monitoring of self-concept throughout the transitional period for new nurses can lead to early detection and appropriate intervention strategies thereby improving retention rates for new nurses.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Family and Community Health, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia. meow@ar.com.au
authors.forename: Leanne S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Cowin
authors.forename: Cecily
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hengstberger-Sims
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003142:Communication; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D009517:New South Wales; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D012951:Socialization