Association Between Nurse Turnover and Nurses' Perception of Patient Outcomes in Acute Care Hospitals in South Korea:...

High turnover rates among nurses are a global concern. Previous studies show the negative impact on quality of care.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nurse turnover and nurse's perceptions of patient outcomes.

A cross-sectional study design was used. Nurses working in 35 general hospitals in South Korea were invited to participate in a survey assessing their perceptions of patient outcomes, including quality of care, patient safety, and adverse events. Nurse turnover was measured for the prior 6 months.

Data from 159 nurses were analyzed. There was a significant positive relationship between turnover rates and perceptions of poor quality of care, after controlling for demographic and work-related characteristics. Nurse turnover was not significantly associated with perceptions of patient safety or adverse events.

The negative consequence of nurse turnover on patient outcomes is partially supported in this study.