Identifying the nurse characteristics that affect anticipated turnover.

BACKGROUND: Nurse turnover is a prevalent and serious issue in Jordan, with many nurses leaving their jobs to search for better opportunities outside the country. It is therefore important to assess anticipated nurse turnover and the factors that may affect this, to prevent the costly and unnecessary loss of staff. AIM: To assess anticipated nurse turnover and its predictors, and to compare these between public and university-affiliated (teaching) hospitals. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional and comparative design was used. Anticipated nurse turnover was measured using the Anticipated Turnover Scale, which consists of 12 items related to a nurse's intention to leave their job that are rated using a seven-point Likert-scale. Questionnaires were distributed to 280 nurses from three public hospitals and one university-affiliated hospital in the north of Jordan. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and independent t-tests. RESULTS: Questionnaire responses were received from 250 nurses, yielding a response rate of 89%. This study identified that 68% of respondents intended to leave their job. Being older, more experienced and with a higher level of education increased the likelihood of nurse turnover. Nurses working in the university-affiliated hospital had a higher intent to leave compared with those working in public hospitals. CONCLUSION: This study found that a high proportion of nurses working in hospitals in the north of Jordan were considering leaving their jobs, and nurses' characteristics had a significant role in determining anticipated turnover. The results of this study could provide policymakers and stakeholders in Jordan with guidance to develop policies and retention programmes that could improve nurses' work environment and reduce turnover.

Effect of nurse managers' leadership styles on predicted nurse turnover.

BACKGROUND: Predicting nurse turnover is important to prevent expensive and avoidable staff loss. One factor that may influence nurse turnover is nurse managers' leadership styles. Three main leadership styles have been identified: transactional, in which leaders give contingent rewards; transformational, in which leaders inspire and motivate; and passive-avoidant, in which leaders are absent. AIM: To assess the effect of nurse managers' leadership styles on predicted nurse turnover in Jordanian hospitals. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study design was used. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) was used to assess nurses' perceptions of their nurse managers' leadership styles, while the Anticipated Turnover Scale was used to assess nurses' intention to leave the job. The questionnaires were distributed to 280 nurses in three public sector hospitals and one university-affiliated (teaching) hospital in the north of Jordan. RESULTS: Responses were received from 250 nurses working in a variety of clinical areas, yielding a response rate of 89%. The respondents perceived that the transactional leadership style was the most common among their nurse managers, followed by the transformational style and passive-avoidant style. It was also identified that, on average, respondents had a slight intention to leave their jobs. The transformational leadership style was found to reduce predicted nurse turnover, while the passive-avoidant and transactional leadership styles had no significant effect on this. CONCLUSION: Understanding the effect of nurse managers' leadership styles on predicted nurse turnover may improve retention. Therefore, nurse managers should undertake training programmes on effective leadership to improve nurses' job satisfaction and reduce turnover.