Exploring the key predictors of retention in emergency nurses

sawatzky j.v. & enns c.l. (2012) Journal of Nursing Management  20, 696–707 Exploring the key predictors of retention in emergency nurses Aim To explore the factors that predict the retention of nurses working in emergency departments. Background The escalating shortage of nurses is one of the most critical issues facing specialty areas, such as the emergency department. Therefore, it is important to identify the key influencing and intermediary factors that affect emergency department nurses’ intention to leave. Methods As part of a larger study, a cross-sectional survey was completed by 261 registered nurses working in the 12 designated emergency departments within rural, urban community and tertiary hospitals in Manitoba, Canada. Results Twenty-six per cent of the respondents will probably/definitely leave their current emergency department jobs within the next year. Engagement was the key predictor of intention to leave (P < 0.001). Engagement was also associated with job satisfaction, compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout (P < 0.05). In an ordinal least-squares model (R² = 0.44), nursing management, professional practice, collaboration with physicians, staffing resources and shift work emerged as significant influencing factors for engagement. Conclusions Engagement plays a central role in emergency department nurses intention to leave. Addressing the factors that influence engagement may reduce emergency department nurses’ intention to leave. Implications for nursing management This study highlights the value of research-based evidence as the foundation for developing innovative strategies for the retention of emergency department nurses.