Evidence-Based Practice Guideline: Nurse Retention for Nurse Managers

Nursing retention and turnover impacts health care on many facets; pressures are increasing to provide quality care in a cost-effective manner to a satisfied patient with an engaged staff as defined by the Quadruple Aim. Retention of experienced staff nurses is paramount as the nursing profession enters another shortage era, which leads to impact on patient safety and quality of care. The purpose of this nurse retention evidence-based practice guideline is to provide strategies for first line nurse managers in various health care settings to use in enhancing job satisfaction and decreasing turnover of staff nurses. Interventions are focused on three areas that are beyond compensation issues and are within the purview of nurse managers: (a) autonomy; (b) recognition; and (c) communication. Retaining expert nurses will have a positive effect on quality patient care. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(11), 11-19.].