Retention of Nurses in a Rural Environment: The Impact of Job Satisfaction, Resilience, Grit, Engagement, and Rural Fit

Authors

  • Kathleen Sellers SUNY Polytechnic
  • Moira Riley University at Albany
  • Danielle Denny Preferred Mutual Insurance Company
  • Doreen Rogers Utica College
  • Jeanne-Marie Havener Castleton University; New York State Education Department-Office of Professions
  • Tassha Rathbone Bassett Healthcare Network – Bassett Medical Center
  • Caroline Gomez-Di Cesare Bassett Healthcare Network – Bassett Medical Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v19i1.547

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the unique contributions that job satisfaction, resilience, grit, engagement, and rural fit have on nurses’ intention to stay in their unit for the next 6 months and intention to leave the institution in the next 3 years.

Sample: The data come from a network wide survey of RNs and LPNs employed by a rural hospital network in the northeast of the United States. Just over half (n=436, 55%) of the 797 nurses that were employed by the network responded to the survey. The majority (73%) were registered nurses (RNs), worked inpatient (56%) and were female (86%).

Method: Surveys were sent out in paper form and electronically. Nurses responded to questions about their intention to leave their unit in the next 6 months or the organization in the next 3 years, job satisfaction/dissatisfaction, resilience, grit, engagement, and rural fit.

Findings: We found that when considering all factors together, better rural fit predicted less intention of leaving the current unit in the next 6 months and less intent to leave the organization in the next 3 years. The only other predictor of intent to leave the unit in the next 6 months was resilience where nurses who reported themselves as being more resilient were less likely to report intention to leave. The only other predictor of intent to leave the organization in the next 3 years was nurse engagement (i.e., professional growth) where more engaged nurses were less likely to report intention to leave.

Conclusion: Rather than considering variables independently, our multivariate model found that rural fit is paramount in retention of rural nurses. Further, clear and accessible opportunities for professional growth may retain nurse over the long-term despite poor fit with the rural environment.

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v19i1.547 

Author Biographies

  • Kathleen Sellers, SUNY Polytechnic

    Ph.D., RN

    Clinical Associate Professor

  • Moira Riley, University at Albany

    Ph.D

    Research Scientist

    Center for Human Services Research

     

  • Danielle Denny, Preferred Mutual Insurance Company

    MA

    Statistical Data Analyst

  • Doreen Rogers, Utica College

    DNS, RN, CCRN, CNE

    Assistant Professor

    School of Health Professions and Education

  • Jeanne-Marie Havener, Castleton University; New York State Education Department-Office of Professions

    PhD, APRN

    Former Director

    Associate in Nursing Education

     

  • Tassha Rathbone, Bassett Healthcare Network – Bassett Medical Center

    MSN, RN-BC

    Nurse Residency Coordinator

  • Caroline Gomez-Di Cesare, Bassett Healthcare Network – Bassett Medical Center

    PhD.  FAAP, FACP

    Research Scientist

     

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Published

2019-04-29