Job satisfaction and retention

[Howyaluvdat]

Hi Guys!

I am a student in an MSN/MBA program and I have to do a synthesis research proposal. I initially started research on nurse job satisfaction and retention. Now that I have been researching I think I would much rather research the administrative personnel as opposed to the nursing staff. I hate to say this, but if I research the nurses I am positive my findings would be swept under the rug or tossed on the back burner. Let's face it, nurses have been used, abused, and ignored for years. I think if I can tie administration into the equation and have facts to back up my statements, maybe some changes can be made! Any suggestions on a topic?

Ursula

[Wren]

Does the research have to be from your facility? If not, you might look at what qualities enhance retention....for instance, what are the magnet hospitals doing that they have better nursing retention? There are hospitals that are doing a good job (yeah and I believe in the tooth fairy!)

If you need to have something more local, you might think about developing a survey (or use one already published and in use with a track record) and try to get a good random sample of several types of workers in your facility. For instance, You could look at administration, housekeeping, maintenance, nursing, nurses assistants, social work, etc. If nursing is just one of the group it might be easier to accept the findings.

Sounds like you have an interesting project and I hope you let us know what you end up doing. Good luck!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Found this in my mailbox, haven't read it:

Eight Things to do for the Nursing Shortage

6/05/03

The complexities of the nursing shortage go far beyond looking at numbers and trying to enhance existing structures. The Center for the Health Professions News has posted an essay that examines eight tangible ways leaders in the care delivery system can restructure health care employment and organizational dynamics to remake the profession of nursing.

To read the essay, visit http://www.futurehealth.ucsf.edu/from_the_director.html

A must read ---From JCAHO:

Health Care at the Crossroads: Strategies for Addressing the Evolving Nursing Crisis

http://www.jcaho.org/about+us/public+policy+initiatives/health+care+at+the+crossroads.pdf

ANA also has some good links---peruse their website:http://www.ana.org

[oramar]

I like those links that Karen provided. Some interesting stuff there especially that article about 8 things to do. It pretty much says that ending the nursing shortage is the responsiblity of institutions and their managment people. Specifically states that they must stop treating nurses like a commodity.