Jeri W Dunkin

Retainment Incentives in Three Rural Practice Settings: Variations in Job Satisfaction Among Staff Registered Nurses

Researchers have demonstrated repeatedly the importance of the relationship linking job satisfaction to employee retention. In rural areas of the country, where a persistent maldistribution of nurses continues to hamper health care delivery, the potential benefits of bolstering retention via enhancements in job satisfaction are of utmost utility to administrators and providers alike. Data were gathered from a multistate survey of registered nurses (RNs) practicing in rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community/public health settings (N = 1,647; response rate = 40.3%). The investigators found that the use of tuition reimbursement corresponded significantly with increased levels of job satisfaction among nurses in all three practice environments, as did day care services for nurses in acute care settings. Also, among hospital-based RNs, level of nursing education was found to be a significant factor in the relationship between tuition reimbursement and job satisfaction, with the highest level occurring among diploma-prepared nurses.

Retaining registered nurses in rural community hospitals.

In rural practice settings where the task of recruiting new employees is exceedingly difficult, the first step in surviving the nursing shortage should begin with maintaining existing resources. Based on a survey of 2,488 staff registered nurses working in rural community hospitals, the authors compare personal, demographic, and practice characteristics of nurses by their self-reported intentions to stay in their present positions. Specific areas of job dissatisfaction that best distinguish those who anticipate leaving in 1 year from those committed to remaining in their present job for 5 years or more are identified.

Recruitment barriers in rural community hospitals: a comparison of nursing and nonnursing factors

Despite encouraging signs suggesting that many rural hospitals are experiencing less severe staff shortages, the challenge of successfully recruiting nurses to rural practice settings continues to be a major obstacle. Based on a 1993 survey of 164 directors of nursing (DONs) practicing in rural community hospitals, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to cluster 21 DON-rated recruitment barriers into factors associated with nursing delivery, local community, and professional interaction. DONs, most notably those practicing in the smallest rural facilities (< or = 25 beds), reported community-related barriers such as spouses employment as the most severe obstacles to successful registered nurse (RN) recruitment. However, upon examination conducted by using multiple regression analyses, only those factors related to nursing delivery and professional interaction were found to be statistically significant predictors of existing staff RN full-time equivalency vacancy rates. Given that barriers related to individual nursing staffs are likely to be far more amenable to change than those associated with rural environments, these findings offer encouragement to nursing administrators who are faced with the difficulties of attracting RNs to rural practice settings.

The Provision of Spiritual Care by Registered Nurses on a Maternal—Infant Unit

Purpose: This study explores the spirituality, spiritual well-being (SWB), and spiritual care provision of registered nurses on a maternal—infant unit. Methods: Data collection instruments included a demographic and spiritual care form, Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS), and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) to address the studys research questions. Findings: Significant positive correlations were found between SPS and SWBS as well as religious well-being (RWB) and existential well-being (EWB; subscales of SWBS). Religious attendance was significantly correlated with SPS, SWBS, and RWB but not EWB. Frequency of spiritual assessment themes was first encounter and when needed, whereas reaching up and reaching out described their provision of spiritual care. Conclusion: The sample was highly spiritual, spiritually well, and provided varied spiritual care. Implications: More spiritual care research is needed. Content on providing spiritual care must be enhanced within nursing curriculums as well as with nurses in practice.

Recruiting and retaining registered nurses in rural community hospitals. Some administrative assessments.

The costs and impacts associated with the recruitment and retention of nurses are substantial. In rural areas, these efforts are hampered by the recurring maldistribution of available nurses away from such environments. Based on a survey of 195 directors of nursing (DONs) practicing in rural community hospitals, the authors compare administrative assessments of recruitment and retention efforts of DONs practicing in various-sized rural facilities. Current full-time equivalent registered nurse staff vacancy rates are also reported in relation to these differing assessments.

Recruiting registered nurses to rural practice settings: an assessment of strategies and barriers.

It has been suggested that in rural settings, the primary difficulty that faces nursing administrators is recruitment of registered nurses (RNs). This study examines the impact of recruitment strategies and barriers by comparing and contrasting corresponding RN full-time equivalent (FTE) vacancy rates. Data were gathered from a multistate telephone survey of directors of nursing (DONs) practicing in rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and public health settings (N = 556, response rate = 89.5%). The investigators found that DONs who perceived scheduling amenities and autonomy enhancements corresponded with RN FTE vacancy rates that were most reduced from the mean of the overall sample. Regarding recruitment barriers, geographic locale/isolation and job-related factors corresponded with RN FTE vacancy rates that were most elevated from the overall sample mean.

Editorial Board Changes

There have been some changes in the Editorial Board since the last issue. Dr. Melondie Carter, from The University of Alabama, has completed her term on the Board as has Ms. Kathy Crooks from Medicine Hat College in Alberta, Canada. We have added three new Board Members.

Growth and Progress

Growth and progress: Both words describe development and evolution of a being or thing. And both are very appropriate for the Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care as we bring to close our tenth year of online publication. Growth: The readership of the Journal has increase dramatically. This is especially true of the last five years. In 2005 there were 63,010 hits on the Journal and in the first 10 months of 2009 there were over 12 times that number (7,984,640). That is quite an increase! In examining the data I found that about 65% of the readers are in the United States but the other 35% come from over 90 countries. The articles submitted for review for the journal are also indicative of substantial growth, with only an occasional submission from countries outside the United States to almost a third of the submissions in 2009 coming from authors in other countries. The Editorial Board and Review panel also have members from around the world. In addition the breadth of topics has grown as well. In this spirit of growth this issue has two guest Editorials. They are on very different topics and I hope hold interest for our readers. In addition, this issue has more articles included than ever before. It is very exciting to see the response to, and the need for the Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care. Progress: At the same time we have made changes occasionally to facilitate the publication as we have progressed through the evolution of the Journal. Another change will be coming in 2010 as we take the Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care out of the open publication format and put it into the Subscription Based Journal category and move its publication to an established publisher rather than a voluntary process for the Editor and Managing Editor. Our promise to you is that we will do our best to keep it as accessible as possible for all our readers.