[Stay in, dropout of and re-entry into the nursing profession of nurses under the aspect of specific types of nursing professionals in Austria].
BACKGROUND
In Austria, a short to very short employment period of registered nurses has been recognised. On closer inspection, however, one can see that there is hardly any scientific data available on this topic.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to gather data on the duration of the employment period andto investigate the reasons for the stay in, dropout of, and re-entry into the profession by registered nurses in Austria. Another objective was to find out whether there are correlations between specific individual types of registered nurses and their professional careers.


METHODS
Registered nurses, who obtained their nursing degree in Austria between 1965 and 2003, were surveyed through a questionnaire that had been elaborated within the framework of a focus group.


RESULTS
The analysis revealed a considerably longer stay than reported in German-speaking literature. Furthermore, we were able to identify five different types of individuals with regard to the stay in, dropout of and re-entry into the nursing profession.
Them
Christa
C
Institut für Pflegewissenschaft der Privaten Universität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Informatik und Technik, Hall i. Tirol, Osterreich. christa.them@umit.at
Schulc
Eva
E
Kendlbacher
Elisabeth
E
Them
Karl-Heinz
KH
D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D003625:Data Collection; D004510:Education, Nursing, Diploma Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*