Registered nurse turnover is an important indicator of the nurse job market. Despite its wide use as a measure for health-care system analysis, there is a lack of consistency in the definition of turnover. Some definitions include any nurse leaving an organization; others may include involuntary and voluntary leaving. These inconsistent definitions also result in various turnover rates. The RN Work Project is a 10-year panel study of new nurses. Data were collected from the new nurses, rather than from a specific organization. About 17.5% of new nurses leave their first job within 1 year of starting their jobs. Consistent and accurate measurement of turnover is an important step in addressing organizational work environments and policies about the nursing workforce.
Author(s):
Christine T. Kovner, College of Nursing, New York University;
Carol Brewer, University of Buffalo School of Nursing;
Faridaben K. Fatehi, College of Nursing, New York University;
Jin Jun, College of Nursing, New York University
Primary Contact Person:
Name: Christine T. Kovner
Email: [email protected]
Complete Citation, if published:
Kovner, C. T., Brewer, C. S, Fatehi, F., & Jun, J. (2014). What does nurse turnover rate mean and what is the rate? Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, 15(3-4), 64-71. doi: 10.1177/1527154414547953.