EVIDENCE: Best practices to retain nurses include support of professional nursing practice through strategies that include Magnet Hospital recognition, preceptorships, refresher courses, differentiated nursing practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  However, the approach to retention in these areas must involve an in-depth look at work environment and a deep understanding of why professional nurses are leaving at a multigenerational level.  Addressing theses challenges requires recommendations of the registered nurse across the lifespan. 

STRATEGY: By using a triangulation methodology the quality of work life and level of satisfaction of inactive and active registered nurses were studied at 4 local hospitals.  A quantitative satisfaction survey tool with 7 additional qualitative questions was used to assess the level of satisfaction of the active registered nurse.  The researchers also used focus groups with active and interviews with inactive registered nurses and nursing administrators.  These strategies provided information in which retention strategies can be developed at multigenerational levels that is organizationally specific using evidence-based interventions from best practice.

RESULTS: Results revealed nurses have multigenerational views of dissatisfaction with their work environment.  Such areas of dissatisfaction include pay, respect, workload, length of shifts and needs of the aging nurse. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:  Identification of areas that are dissatisfiers along with interventions for the registered nurse across the lifespan will be discussed.