Social Capital in the Workplace for New Graduate Nurses: Maximizing Recruitment and Retention

Area of Science:

• Nursing workforce research
• Social science in healthcare

Background:

• Addressing critical nursing shortages requires understanding new graduate nurses' (NGNs') experiences.
• Nurses' job satisfaction and retention are influenced by their initial work environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of social capital in the first job experiences of new graduate nurses (NGNs).
• To identify factors influencing NGNs' decisions to accept and remain in nursing positions.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative secondary analysis of survey data from the National Student Nurses' Association.
• Examined the relationship between social capital, work environment, and retention intentions.

Main Results:

• Higher social capital and positive work environments correlate with increased NGN retention.
• Professional development, supportive management, and work-life balance are key factors in NGN job acceptance.

Conclusions:

• Social capital is a crucial factor in NGN recruitment and retention strategies.
• Healthcare administrators can leverage social capital insights to improve nurse retention.