Predictors of home healthcare nurse retention.

PURPOSE

To examine the level of job satisfaction and test a theoretical model of the direct and indirect effects of job satisfaction, and individual nurse and agency characteristics, on intent to stay and retention for home healthcare nurses.

DESIGN

A descriptive correlation study of home healthcare nurses in six New England states.

METHODS

Home healthcare nurse job satisfaction self-report data was collected with the HHNJS survey questionnaire & Retention Survey Questionnaire.

FINDINGS

Based on a structural equation model, job tenure and job satisfaction were the strongest predictors of nurse retention.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the variables associated with home healthcare nurse retention can help agencies retain nurses in a time of severe nurse shortages and increased patient demand.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Predicted nursing shortages and increasing demand have made the retention of experienced, qualified nursing staff essential to assure access to high-quality home healthcare services in the future.