Study on Nurse Retention

A healthcare study conducted in three of Ireland’s acute hospitals found that targeted staffing interventions can improve work environments and job satisfaction for nurses and offers a potential solution to the ongoing challenges of nurse turnover and shortages.

The observational study implemented and assessed safe nurse staffing frameworks for six medical and/or surgical wards across three acute hospitals in Ireland - one large acute university hospital (670 beds), one medium-sized acute hospital (235 beds) and a small acute hospital (109 beds).

Blueprint for improving nurse retention 

The findings, outlined in a research paper published by Dr Noeleen Brady from the School of Nursing & Midwifery at University College Cork (UCC), provide a blueprint for improving nurse retention amid increasing healthcare demands and workforce shortages.

The study examined the implementation of the Framework for Safe Staff Nursing and Skill-Mix. The Irish government has published this Framework to determine appropriate nurse staffing levels in medical and surgical wards in acute hospitals. It aims to improve patient care by ensuring hospitals have the right number and mix of nursing staff, both registered nurses and health care assistants. The Framework uses a patient-centred approach, considering factors like patient need, i.e. acuity and dependency, to determine the required nursing hours. This helps hospitals calculate suitable staffing levels.

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