A new practice environment measure based on the reality and experiences of nurses working lives.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the underlying organizational issues affecting a nurses' decision to leave and to develop a contemporary practice environment measure based on the experiences of nurses working lives.


BACKGROUND
Turnover had reached an unacceptable level in our organization but underlying reasons for leaving were unknown.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 nurses who had resigned. Transcripts were analysed using the constant comparative method. Information from the interviews informed the development a new practice environment tool, which has undergone initial testing using the Content Validity Index and Chronbach's alpha.


RESULTS
Two domains ('work life' and 'personal life/professional development') and five themes ('feeling safe', 'feeling valued', 'getting things done', 'professional development' and 'being flexible') emerged from the interviews. A content validity score for the new instrument was 0.79 and Chronbach's alpha 0.93.


CONCLUSIONS
The new practice environment tool has shown useful initial reliability and validity but requires wider testing in other settings.


CONCLUSIONS
The reality and experiences of nurses working lives can be identified through exit interviews conducted by an independent person. Information from such interviews is useful in identifying an organization's strength and weaknesses and to develop initiatives to support retention.
Webster
Joan
J
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia. joan_webster@health.qld.gov.au
Flint
Anndrea
A
Courtney
Mary
M
D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009729:Nursing; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*