Turnover Intention Among Nurses in Nurse Managers, Directors, and Executives: Developing a Tool for Measuring Environmental Factors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Turnover among nurse managers, directors, and executives is associated with staff nurse retention and patient outcomes. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of an instrument to evaluate factors associated with intent to leave among these leaders within acute care facilities.

METHODS

The Nurse Leader Environment Support Survey (NLESS) was developed and evaluated using exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing (Cronbach's α). Data was obtained as part of a large nationwide electronic survey ( = 1,903).

RESULTS

Factors converged into three major themes (organizational culture, professional vulnerability, and workplace relationships) which were consistent across all three leadership groups. Factor subscales exhibited Cronbach's α > .7.

CONCLUSIONS

The NLESS is a useful tool in comparing reasons for turnover among nursing leadership groups. Future refinement may prove useful in identifying and clarifying foundational causes of turnover.