Nursing Turnover and Staffing Practices in New Zealand's DHBs: A National Survey

Abstract

Nursing turnover is critical issue as nurse shortages throughout the Western world are pulling a strain on health systems. New Zealand's nursing shortage is exacerbated by international recruitment efforts targeting nurses. New Zealand is a participating country in an international study, using an agreed study design and instruments, to determine the real direct and indirect costs of nursing turnover and the systemic costs by also determining the impacts of turnover on patient and nurse outcomes. The paper reports on two components of the study. First, a pilot study was conducted in six countries, including New Zealand, to identify availability of costs and suitability of the instrument. The results of the pilot, that found that many costs were not available, are reported. Second, as part of u national Cost of Nursing Turnover study, Directors of Nursing in the 21 District Health Boards (DHBs) throughout New Zealand were contacted to complete a survey on turnover and workplace practices: 20 participated. In 13 DHBs nursing turnover was a problem, with 5 reporting rates over 20%; 5 DHBs reported low turnover at 5-10%. The survey did not establish how turnover rates were determined. Notwithstanding the importance of attracting and retaining nurses, in every DHB except 5 there are tight controls over recruitment of new staff, and several DHBs reported a freeze on recruiting RNs except for 'specialist' nurse roles.