Individual factors associated with intentions to leave among directors of nursing in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: Although the importance of nurse leadership stability and participation in decision making in nursing homes is well established, scarce literature exists on determinants of intent to leave among directors of nursing (DONs) in nursing homes. PURPOSE: : The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with DON intent to leave in nursing homes. METHODOLOGY: We examined potential factors associated with DON intent to leave at three levels: individual DON characteristics, facility, and county-level market factors. A survey of nurse supervisors in Texas nursing homes, the 2003 Texas Nursing Facility Medicaid Cost Report, and the Area Resource File were merged. We only included respondents who identified themselves as DONs in this study (572 observations). We examined bivariate differences in individual DON characteristics on the basis of facility ownership (for-profit versus not-for-profit homes) and geographic location (urban versus rural location). We constructed three alternative logit models to explore the relationships between DON intent to leave and DON, facility, and market characteristics. FINDINGS: DONs working in for-profit homes were more inclined to leave, less satisfied with their job, and had lower levels of perceived empowerment in terms of autonomy. Educational level and intention to leave were significantly higher for DONs working in urban areas. Job satisfaction was significantly and inversely associated with intent to leave in all three models. Higher perceived salary competitiveness and level of empowerment were associated with reduced odds of intending to leave. Higher educational levels were associated with higher odds of intentions to leave. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nursing homes should focus on improving DON job satisfaction, empowerment in decision making, and salary competitiveness when designing retention strategies for DONs.

Effect of staff turnover on staffing: A closer look at registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and certified nursing assistants.

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of facility and market-level characteristics on staffing levels and turnover rates for direct care staff, and we examined the effect of staff turnover on staffing levels. DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,014 Texas nursing homes. Data were from the 2002 Texas Nursing Facility Medicaid Cost Report and the Area Resource File for 2003. After examining factors associated with staff turnover, we tested the significance and impact of staff turnover on staffing levels for registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). RESULTS: All three staff types showed strong dependency on resources, such as reimbursement rates and facility payor mix. The ratio of contracted to employed nursing staff as well as RN turnover increased LVN turnover rates. CNA turnover was reduced by higher administrative expenditures and higher CNA wages. Turnover rates significantly reduced staffing levels for RNs and CNAs. LVN staffing levels were not affected by LVN turnover but were influenced by market factors such as availability of LVNs in the county and women in the labor force. IMPLICATIONS: Staffing levels are not always associated with staff turnover. We conclude that staff turnover is a predictor of RN and CNA staffing levels but that LVN staffing levels are associated with market factors rather than turnover. Therefore, it is important to focus on management initiatives that help reduce CNA and RN turnover and ultimately result in higher nurse staffing levels in nursing homes.