Identifying the key predictors for retention in critical care nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Healthcare Management
• Workforce Psychology

Background:

• Critical care nursing shortages pose a significant crisis in Canada and globally.
• Understanding factors influencing nurse retention is crucial for developing effective strategies.
• Identifying both influencing and intermediary factors is key to retaining nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key predictors of retention among critical care nurses.
• To explore organizational and personal factors affecting nurses' intent to leave.
• To validate the Conceptual Framework for Predicting Nurse Retention.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative, cross-sectional research design.
• Online survey of 188 registered nurses in critical care units in Manitoba, Canada.
• Utilized the Conceptual Framework for Predicting Nurse Retention.

Main Results:

• 24% of nurses intended to leave critical care within the next year.
• Significant predictors of intent to leave included professional practice, management, collaboration, competence, control, and autonomy.
• Job satisfaction, engagement, and professional quality of life were related to intent to leave.

Conclusions:

• Multiple organizational and intermediary factors are vital for retaining critical care nurses.
• Findings support the use of the Conceptual Framework for Predicting Nurse Retention for future research.
• Strategies addressing identified factors are needed to improve critical care nurse retention.