[The personnel policy being tested: the training makes the difference]

The aim of this study was to find out if offering specialist renal training courses enhanced staff recruitment and retention. An audit of staff with specialist renal skills acquired through training was completed. Analysis of the records available in this Trust since 2003, reporting on staff retention and increased nurse satisfaction following renal course attendance, were used in this study. The research used semi-structured interviews gaining qualitative data. The participants were all staff who had undertaken renal courses provided by this Trust. The results showed that when the interviews were thematically analysed, key themes emerged, which displayed enhanced insight, confidence and increased skill base. The quantitative data concerning staff retention, staff movement and staff sickness, helped to identify that not only do staff actually stay longer but also appear to develop advanced skills and knowledge as well as more positive attitudes. In summary, it was shown that by offering specialist training there is an increased number of skilled renal nurses presenting for employment attracted by the opportunity of undertaking specialist renal courses. They in return, benefit from the advanced renal programme, which enables them to deliver better quality of care with increased job satisfaction.