A major problem for hospitals is their inability to predict turnover, to understand contributing factors, and to develop relative prevention strategies. Because literature from Magnet hospitals places an emphasis on professional autonomy, participatory management, and self-governance, a tool to assess organizational characteristics in these areas is important. Fortunately, the Aiken (NWI-R) Nurse Work Index-Revised Scale (2000)) was specifically designed for this purpose, which provides useful information to create a Magnet-type environment.  The NWI-R can be analyzed using four subscales: autonomy, control over practice, nurse-physician relationship, and organizational support.  

The survey was administered via Web in June 2004, a combination of Web and paper-based formats were utilized in May 2005, which doubled the response rates. An informed consent/introductory letter was provided to each registered nurse in the sample (n=1,500). Approval was granted from two institutional review boards to conduct the study. 
 
Results of the survey sample showed that having enough staff to perform needed tasks, floating, rotating, interruptions, and having to perform non-nursing tasks all had room to improve. With organizational support and control over practice being the lowest overall subscales, it shows there are opportunities to better support nurses and promote participatory decision making.Surprisingly, all four subscales were significantly higher for nurses with 6 or more years of experience with the institution, indicating the need for nurse managers/leaders to be actively engaged in retention activities.

See more of Career Building for Nurse Retention
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)