Factors influencing nursing turnover in selected private hospitals in England

Abstract

The study investigated factors influencing nursing turnover in selected private hospitals in England as the United Kingdom recruited 57 136 nurses from non-European countries from 1998 till 2003. Herzberg's Theory of Motivation was used to contextualise the research results obtained from 85 completed questionnaires.

In terms of Herzberg's Theory of Motivation the intrinsic factors (motivators) that could influence nurses' turnover rates were nurses' dissatisfaction with irregular promotions, lack of recognition by doctors, and nurses' lack of autonomy. The extrinsic (hygiene) factors included dissatisfaction with their salaries, and marked dissatisfaction with organization and administration policies and nurses' inability to access information about patient care and about the management of their units.

Nurses' turnover rates might be reduced if promotion policies could be consistent, doctors would value nurses' work and if nurses could be more autonomous. Enhanced communication about policies and about accessing information, as well as improved salaries,could contribute to reduced turnover rates among nurses.