Study Says Nursing Shortage Demands Diverse, Personalized Approaches

An independent study sponsored by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Institute for Patient Care Research and Education found that a diversified, highly personalized approach to recruitment and retention has helped hospitals find and keep the qualified nurses they need to provide high quality patient care. The exploratory study included open-ended interviews with 58 nursing and human resources administrators at community and academic acute care hospitals throughout the U.S. The study revealed a strong association between recruitment and retention strategies and highlighted the need for flexibility in meeting the needs and desires of nurses at different points in their personal lives and careers.

The comments and strategies offered by respondents revealed the importance of the following criteria in recruiting and retaining nurses:

  • diverse and personalized methods of recruitment, such as outreach to new graduate nurses, internships, and interactive open houses
  • pairing new technologies such as the Internet and consolidated applicant databases with direct mail and advertising
  • competitive compensation and flexible benefits
  • respect and recognition from management of nurses’ efforts
  • outstanding communication between management and staff, including skillful listening, information sharing, and follow-up from management
  • adequate and flexible staffing protocols that allow nurses to spend appropriate time with patients while balancing their personal and professional lives
  • input and participation in decision-making that affects nursing practice
  • support for continuing education and professional practice development
  • strategic planning to further identify issues and develop tactics regarding the aging nurse population
  • active promotion of the features, benefits, and rewards of the nursing profession to young people.

Copies of the study—Nurse Recruitment and Retention Study—are available for $35 for AONE members and $75 for non-members. Interested parties can call (800) AHA-2626 or go to www.aha.org/shoppingcart/default.htm.