Cultural, generational factors influencing RN retention

Editor's Note

Generational and cultural differences may affect an RN’s job satisfaction and intent to stay, and nurse leaders must reassess staff satisfaction beyond mandatory annual staff engagement surveys, this study finds.

An online survey of 309 RNs at a tertiary care hospital in south Texas found that: Millennials anticipate staying at their current employer 3.03 years; Generation X, 5.83 years; and Baby Boomers, 8.25 years.

The perceived inability to meet patient needs varied by generation and was significantly associated with RN satisfaction. Factors the RNs identified that may improve retention, regardless of generation were: Pay, staffing, and nurse leadership support.

Preferred leadership traits differed by generation and ethnicity, with Hispanic nurses valuing hardworking, honest leaders and non-Hispanic nurses valuing dependability.

This study identifies ethnic variations not seen in previous studies, which reflects the impact of emerging changes in the workforce that may influence RN retention, the authors say.