title: Support programs for new graduates in pediatric nursing.
abstract: This study examined intent to stay and the relationship between work satisfaction and burnout in a sample of new registered nurse graduates hired at a freestanding children's hospital. The following research questions were addressed: (1) Two years after initial employment, what is the percentage of new graduates who intend to stay on the job? (2) Is there a relationship between work satisfaction and burnout? (3) What is the turnover rate after the implementation of a support group program for new registered nurses? Of a target group of 75 new graduate nurses, 33 (44%) completed a modified version of Aiken's Revised Nursing Work Index and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. A majority of the registered nurses intended to stay on the job, with 87.9% reporting that they were satisfied with their current position and 97.0% reporting that they were satisfied with being a nurse. The correlation between job satisfaction and burnout was as follows: r = -0.684, F(1,30) = -21.71; p < .001. Of the participants, 39% reported an increase in the amount of time they spent with patients over the year, 27% reported an increase in the amount of time they spent documenting patient care, and 24% reported that the "quality of care" they were providing was better than 1 year ago. Before the implementation of a support group program for new graduates in 2006, the turnover rate was 7.6%; in 2009, the turnover rate was 5.7%.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Education and Research, Miami Dade College, Miami, FL, USA. messmerpatricia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Patricia R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Messmer
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bragg
authors.forename: Phoebe D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D012944:Social Support; D000078329:Workforce