Keep what you've got: the role of the manager in nurse retention

1. The nursing shortage of today differs significantly from shortages of the past. A decrease in the nursing pool compounded with an increased variety of career opportunities for women are some of the major contributing factors. 2. Early attempts to solve the shortage focused primarily on recruitment strategies. 3. In these times of cost containment, agencies cannot afford substantial staff turnover. Thus, retention of staff has far-reaching implications. 4. Although the preparation of the nurse manager has improved, there is still a disequilibrium between the nurse manager and appropriate management skills.