What does staff turnover in nursing refer to?

Staff turnover in nursing specifically refers to the rate at which nursing staff leave their positions and are replaced. This concept is crucial for healthcare management as it directly impacts the operational efficiency of a nursing unit, patient care quality, and staff morale. High turnover rates can indicate underlying issues such as job dissatisfaction, poor management practices, or inadequate support for nurses. Conversely, a stable nursing workforce can lead to better continuity of care, enhanced team dynamics, and improved patient outcomes.

Monitoring turnover rates allows healthcare facilities to implement strategies aimed at workforce stability, such as improving working conditions, offering competitive compensation, or enhancing career development opportunities. By understanding turnover, management can take proactive measures to retain skilled nurses and ensure that they meet the staffing needs of their patients effectively.

The other options relate to different aspects of nursing workforce management but do not define turnover accurately:

• The number of new nurses hired annually does not account for those who have left the position, thus not reflecting turnover.

• The frequency of promotions among nursing staff is related to advancement opportunities but does not pertain to how many staff members leave or stay.

• The percentage of overtime worked by nurses relates to staffing levels and workload but does not provide insight into staff turnover.

Thus, the definition of turnover is specifically