In a recent nationwide survey of 2,234 RNs who worked in ICUs, 17% said they plan to leave their positions within the next year, and 52% of those intending to leave cited working conditions as the reason.
RNs planning to leave because of working conditions rated all "organizational climate factors" lower than did nurses who planned to stay or to leave for other reasons. Those found to independently predict the decision to leave were issues that fell into the categories "professional practice" and "nursing competence." Professional practice issues included opportunities for promotion, continuing education, and participation in decision making within the hospital, as well as institutional support for quality, innovation, and nursing expertise and authority. Nursing competence issues included orientation for new nurses, the existence of standardized policies and procedures within the hospital, and opportunities for new nurses to learn from other nurses who are competent and experienced.
RNs who had worked for fewer years in the same job were more likely to express an indication to leave as a result of working conditions. The nursing shortage was not a significant factor in nurses' intention to leave, nor were staffing issues.
Fran Mennick, BSN, RN