How hospitals view unit-level nurse turnover data collection: analysis of a hospital survey

The objectives of this study were to examine the quality of unit-level nurse turnover data collection among the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators hospitals and to identify the burdens of collecting such data.

Tracking and managing nurse turnover at the unit level are critical for administrators who determine managerial strategies. Little is known about the quality of and burdens of unit-level turnover data collection.

Surveys from 178 hospitals were analyzed descriptively.

Most hospitals strongly agreed or agreed with the quality of unit-level turnover data collection. Hospitals identified the burdens of additional time and resources needed for unit-level turnover data collection and the difficulty of obtaining specific reasons for turnover.

Collecting unit-level nurse turnover data can be important and useful for administrators to improve nurse retention, workforce stability, and quality of care. We suggest that the advantages of unit-level nurse turnover data and reports can overcome the identified burdens.