Reducing Nurse Turnover: A Key Strategy for Lowering Patient Falls and Costs

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Economics
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Registered nurse (RN) turnover involves substantial recruitment, hiring, and onboarding expenses, estimated at $56,000 per RN.
• High RN turnover leads to organizational challenges like disrupted communication, teamwork, and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the organizational cost of registered nurse (RN) turnover.
• To analyze the relationship between RN turnover and inpatient fall rates as an indicator of care quality.

Main Methods:

• The study analyzes the organizational costs associated with registered nurse (RN) turnover.
• It investigates the correlation between RN turnover rates and inpatient fall incidents.

Main Results:

• Registered nurse (RN) turnover results in significant financial costs and broader organizational disruptions.
• Increased RN turnover is linked to adverse quality outcomes, specifically higher rates of inpatient falls.

Conclusions:

• RN turnover poses a considerable financial and operational burden on hospitals.
• Reducing RN turnover is essential for improving patient safety and overall care quality, as indicated by fall rates.