Accurate Measurement of Nursing Turnover

No one disputes that successfulrecruitment andretention programs are essential to maintaining an adequate nursing staff. The average hospitalor nursing service administrator can quickly report the number of unfiled positions and perhaps the percentage of total positions that number represents. But unfortunately few administrators can cite accurate figures demonstrating a clear recognition of what type of turnover is occurring, how much, and where. The availability of this information is a vitalprerequisite to the effective control and reduction of turnover. Unless the calculation of such data is understood, as wellas consistently produced and disseminated at appropriate levels of the organization, subjective and frequently erroneous decisions will continue to be made about the management of human resources.