Factors influencing attraction and retention of registered nurses in a large health care delivery system

Registered nurses' job satisfaction and perception of organizational attributes favorable to nurses were examined. Nurses reasons for seeking employment and remaining with their organization, as well as suggestions for improving the registered nurse role also were studied.; A descriptive correlational study design was used. A total of 720 staff registered nurses representing twelve different facilities within the study organization responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire included the McCloskey-Mueller Satisfaction Survey, Nursing Work Index-Revised, and demographic and free response questions.; The findings revealed that the staff registered nurses were most satisfied with their nursing peers and hours of work. Respondents were least satisfied with child care facilities and opportunities to participate in nursing research. Nurses most perceived the presence of high administrative expectations for nursing care and clinically competent nurse colleagues. They least perceived the presence of sufficient registered nurse staff for quality patient care and enough staff to get the work done. Proximity to home was the most common reason nurses were attracted to the organization. Co-workers were the primary reason nurses remain with their employer. The most common suggestion for strengthening the role of the registered nurse was increasing the involvement of nurses in organizational decision making.