Relationship Between Clinical Nurse Specialist Role Implementation, Satisfaction, and Intent to Stay

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Limited research exists on advanced practice nurses' role satisfaction and intent to remain.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) roles are multifaceted, requiring examination of factors influencing retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between CNS role implementation, role satisfaction, and intent to remain in the CNS role.
• To identify specific CNS role dimensions that influence job satisfaction and retention.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey data from 423 graduate-prepared CNSs in Canada.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between role implementation, satisfaction, and intent to stay.

Main Results:

• Clinical, research, and scholarly/professional development activities were linked to higher CNS role satisfaction.
• Role satisfaction positively influenced intent to remain; however, a heavy focus on consultation activities negatively impacted intent to stay.
• Scholarly and professional development activities indirectly influenced intent to stay via improved role satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• A positive association exists between certain CNS role dimensions and role satisfaction, which in turn enhances intent to remain.
• Overemphasis on consultation activities can reduce CNS intent to stay.
• CNSs and managers should collaborate to design roles that align with patient needs and optimize satisfaction and retention.