Association Between Nurse Turnover and Nurses’ Perception of Patient Outcomes in Acute Care Hospitals in South Korea

BACKGROUND: High turnover rates among nurses are a global concern. Previous studies show the negative impact on quality of care. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nurse turnover and nurse's perceptions of patient outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. Nurses working in 35 general hospitals in South Korea were invited to participate in a survey assessing their perceptions of patient outcomes, including quality of care, patient safety, and adverse events. Nurse turnover was measured for the prior 6 months. RESULTS: Data from 159 nurses were analyzed. There was a significant positive relationship between turnover rates and perceptions of poor quality of care, after controlling for demographic and work-related characteristics. Nurse turnover was not significantly associated with perceptions of patient safety or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The negative consequence of nurse turnover on patient outcomes is partially supported in this study.