Survey of Factors Related to Registered Nurses Decisions to Remain with the San Diego VA Medical Center

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of specific job factors on nurses' decisions to remain with the San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). In addition, an attempt was made to identify factors that attracted nurses to the hospital, and factors that would precipitate their leaving. Major findings indicated that factors such as salary and fringe benefits attracted and retained over 60 percent of the nurses during the first five years. After five years, intrinsic factors took on more importance. Nurses with more than five years at the facility indicated a high degree of satisfaction with fairness of working conditions, financial rewards, and with the degree of power and authority they possessed. Lack of opportunity for career advancement and inadequate salary were the two factors most often cited as causing them to leave their jobs. Salary was the single factor attracting nurses, as well as causing them to leave their jobs if it was inadequate. A questionnaire is included.