Three decades of nurses’ talent retention: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose Nurse turnover is perceived to be a major challenge for health-care administrators. The turnover is because of various factors like poor working conditions, low salaries, poor work–life balance and international opportunities. The purpose of conducting a bibliometric analysis on “Nurses’ Talent Retention” is to comprehensively analyze the trends, patterns and research contributions related to this area. By synthesizing and analyzing the existing literature, this study aims to identify key areas for nurse retention, thereby providing a foundation for further research, practical interventions and policy implications. Design/methodology/approach This research investigates talent retention practices in nursing from 1989 to 2023 by analyzing 427 documents from 213 sources sourced through Elsevier Scopus. Using the PRISMA framework, the study uses bibliometric analysis using the R studio’s biblometrix package. Key findings reveal a growing scholarly interest with an annual growth rate of 11.46%, an average document age of 7.93 years and an average citation rate of 43.26. Notably, international collaboration represents 17.56% of co-authorships, indicating the global relevance of the research. The study addresses three main research questions, including factors contributing to nurse retention in the Indian context, and implications for nurse well-being and turnover rates across different health-care contexts and countries. Findings The bibliometric analysis of nurse retention highlights several key findings. Magnet hospitals, accredited by the ANCC, demonstrate superior work environments, staffing levels and nurse outcomes, emphasizing the significance of nursing leadership and professionalism. The factors such as resilience, influenced by perceived competence, collaboration and coping strategies, highlight the importance of addressing psychological well-being in retention efforts. Transformational leadership and supportive work environments are associated with increased intentions for nurses to remain in their roles, suggesting the need for organizational practices fostering positive workplace cultures. Diversity management initiatives promoting inclusivity correlate with positive organizational outcomes, indicating the potential for diverse and inclusive workplaces to enhance nurse retention. Practical implications These findings provide substantial implications for health-care organizations and policymakers. Investing in nursing leadership and nurturing supportive work environments can enhance nurse satisfaction and retention. Implementing diversity management in recruitment practices can create inclusive workplaces, positively impacting nurse retention and organizational outcomes. Mandating staffing ratios may also improve nurse retention and patient care quality. Understanding the economic and organizational costs associated with nurse turnover emphasizes the need for effective retention strategies and healthy work environments. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of nurse retention dynamics by synthesizing findings from the literature. By highlighting the importance of nursing leadership, resilience and diversity management, it provides valuable insights for future research and practice in the field. The study also emphasizes the economic and organizational costs of nurse turnover, enhancing the urgency of implementing effective retention strategies.