The impact of nurse turnover on patient, nurse, and system outcomes: a pilot study and focus for a multicenter international study.
Research about the economic impact of nurse turnover has been compromised by a lack of consistent definitions and measurement. This article describes a study that was designed to refine a methodology to examine the costs associated with nurse turnover. Nursing unit managers responded to a survey that contained items relating to budgeted full-time equivalents, new hires, and turnover, as well as direct and indirect costs. The highest mean direct cost was incurred through temporary replacements, whereas the highest indirect cost was decreased initial productivity of the new hire. The study allowed the identification of the availability of data and where further refinement of data definition of variables is needed. The results provided significant evidence to justify increased emphasis on nurse retention strategies and the creation of healthy work environments for nurses.
O'Brien-Pallas
Linda
L
University of Toronto and Canadian Health Services Research Foundation/Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CHSRF/CIHR, National Chair in Nursing Human Resources.
Griffin
Pat
P
Shamian
Judith
J
Buchan
James
J
Duffield
Christine
C
Hughes
Frances
F
Spence Laschinger
Heather K
HK
North
Nicola
N
Stone
Patricia W
PW
D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D009656:North America; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000191:economics*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies