The effectiveness of intervention strategies to improve nurse retention

Abstract

Background and aim: Nurse retention is a persistent issue in the global health sector. Nurses are essential to the strength and resilience of healthcare systems, but current supply, demand, and the needs of the population lead to threats that undermine universal healthcare goals. Consideration of strategies to improve nurse turnout in hospitals has become crucial to national and global healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to identify the effectiveness of intervention strategies implemented to improve nurse retention in 2020 at King Abdullah Medical Complex in Jeddah (KAMCJ).

Methods: The present study reviewed the intervention strategies that were carried out in 2020 at KAMCJ in order to improve nurse retention, 511 nurses were included in the improvement project and underwent yearly satisfaction surveys and exit interviews in 2020. The information from the available documents was gathered retrospectively. 

Results: The current study's findings indicated that the nurse satisfaction and exit interview results were positive in terms of the nurse's working environment, professional development, and promotion opportunities. According to the outcomes, the turnover rate decreased from 19.70% in 2019 to 8.90% in 2020, while the retention rate increased from 80.30% in 2019 to 91.10% in 2022.

Conclusions: This study highlighted the importance of developing a multi-dimensional strategy to address issues related to nursing job satisfaction, such as professional growth and development and nurses' working conditions, which significantly increase nursing retention.