How hospitals view unit-level nurse turnover data collection: analysis of a hospital survey.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to examine the quality of unit-level nurse turnover data collection among the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators hospitals and to identify the burdens of collecting such data.

BACKGROUND: Tracking and managing nurse turnover at the unit level are critical for administrators who determine managerial strategies. Little is known about the quality of and burdens of unit-level turnover data collection.

METHODS: Surveys from 178 hospitals were analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS: Most hospitals strongly agreed or agreed with the quality of unit-level turnover data collection. Hospitals identified the burdens of additional time and resources needed for unit-level turnover data collection and the difficulty of obtaining specific reasons for turnover.

CONCLUSIONS: Collecting unit-level nurse turnover data can be important and useful for administrators to improve nurse retention, workforce stability, and quality of care. We suggest that the advantages of unit-level nurse turnover data and reports can overcome the identified burdens.