Factors Influencing Intentions of Nursing Personnel to Leave Employment in Long-Term Care Settings

Abstract

This study examines factors associated with the intentions of nurses to leave their present employment in a long-term care (LTC) setting. The study examines differences in the personal characteristics, job-specific characteristics, job satisfaction, and perceived job mobility of two groups of nurses currently employed in LTC facilities; those who report that they intend to stay at the nursing home where they are employed (n = 147) and those who intend to leave (n = 45). Nearly half of the factors that were examined (9 of 20) were statistically significantly associated with nurses' self-reports of their intention to leave. Of the significant associations, seven were job-specific characteristics or dimensions of job satisfaction. The implications of these findings are that a significant majority of the factors that influence a nurse's intention to leave may be within the realm of control of nurse executives and nursing home administrators. Results are discussed within the context of three general areas where there may be opportunities for managers to take actions that will improve retention.