title: Nursing sabbatical in the acute care hospital setting: a cost-benefit analysis.
abstract: Practice-based acute care nurses experience a high incidence of burnout and dissatisfaction impacting retention and innovation and ultimately burdening the financial infrastructure of a hospital. Business, industry, and academia have successfully implemented professional sabbaticals to retain and revitalize valuable employees; however, the use is infrequent among acute care hospitals. This article expands upon the synthesis of evidence supporting nursing sabbaticals and suggests this option as a fiscally sound approach for nurses practicing in the acute care hospital setting. A cost-benefit analysis and human capital management strategies supporting nursing sabbaticals are identified.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health Professions, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN, USA. gschaar@usi.edu
authors.forename: Gina L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Schaar
authors.forename: Constance F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Swenty
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Embree
authors.forename: Isabella A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: McCool
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Shirey
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000191:economics*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States