Organizational and environmental effects on voluntary and involuntary turnover.
BACKGROUND
There are few studies of voluntary and involuntary turnover in the nursing home literature. Previous research in this area has focused mainly on the linear effects of individual and organizational characteristics on total turnover.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine both linear and nonlinear effects of organizational and environmental conditions on voluntary and involuntary nursing home staff turnover.


METHODS
We analyzed both primary and secondary data on 854 nursing homes in six states. A negative binomial regression model was used to study both linear and curvilinear effects of organizational and environmental factors on voluntary and involuntary turnover among registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides.


RESULTS
Staffing levels and deficiency citations were the organizational characteristics most consistently linked with turnover among all nurse types. Links were also found between unemployment and type of location (urban or rural) and turnover, indicating that the economic environment is influential for retention.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support the notion that policy makers need to consider both the organization and the environment when evaluating the nature of nursing home staff turnover. The findings also offer further evidence that the antecedents of voluntary and involuntary turnover are not necessarily the same.
Donoghue
Christopher
C
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Kean University, Union, NJ, USA. cdonoghu@kean.edu
Castle
Nicholas G
NG
D002322:Career Mobility; D004465:Economic Competition; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008330:Management Audit; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009743:Nursing, Practical; D009874:Operations Research; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010067:Ownership; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce