Factors Affecting Turnover of Advanced Practice Providers: A University Teaching Hospital Review

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Provider Retention
• Workforce Psychology

Background:

• Retention of advanced practice providers (APPs) is crucial for healthcare organizations to maintain patient care quality and control costs.
• High APP turnover presents significant challenges to healthcare leadership and operational efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify associations between intent to leave and specific survey factors among APPs.
• To analyze the distribution of job satisfaction scale factors.
• To describe differences in intent to leave based on APP roles, specialties, and employment duration.

Main Methods:

• A self-administered questionnaire was used, employing a modified Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale and Anticipated Turnover Scale.
• Surveys were distributed to APPs at a large university medical center.
• 102 surveys were returned, yielding a 38.9% response rate.

Main Results:

• APP satisfaction was highest for benefits and time management, but lowest for intrapractice partnership/collegiality.
• Extrinsic factors like bonuses, reward distribution, research involvement, conflict resolution, and off-duty compensation opportunities were common dissatisfiers.
• A correlation was found between job satisfaction and intent to leave, highlighting key factors influencing APP commitment.

Conclusions:

• Survey findings can help hospitals proactively identify triggers for APP dissatisfaction and intent to resign.
• Results can inform revisions to hospital policies and procedures to enhance APP commitment and reduce turnover.
• Further research in similar academic medical centers is recommended to validate intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting APP satisfaction and retention.