Factors That Influence the Retention of Graduate Nurses at a Safety Net Teaching Hospital

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• High turnover rates among newly graduated nurses pose significant challenges to patient safety and hospital financial stability.
• Effective nurse residency programs are essential for integrating new nurses into the healthcare workforce and improving retention.
• Understanding the factors that influence new nurse retention is critical for developing targeted support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the retention and program completion rates of nurses participating in a residency program.
• To identify key factors influencing the retention of newly graduated nurses within hospital settings.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for improving nurse retention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Casey-Fink Nurse Retention Survey to explore factors influencing nurse retention.
• Analyzed retention and program completion data for nurses who participated in a structured residency program.
• Employed quantitative methods to assess the impact of various workplace factors on nurse retention.

Main Results:

• Nurses highly value supportive work environments, including positive team dynamics and adequate resources.
• Recognition for contributions and opportunities for professional development, particularly mentorship, were identified as significant retention factors.
• Program completion rates were positively correlated with perceived workplace support and mentorship availability.

Conclusions:

• Implementing robust nurse residency programs can improve retention and program completion rates.
• Healthcare organizations must prioritize creating supportive work environments and offering mentorship to retain new nurses.
• Strategic investments in nurse retention are essential to mitigate patient safety risks and reduce financial losses due to turnover.