TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the Dynamics of Attracting and Retaining Acute Care Psychiatric Registered Nurses
T2 - An In-Depth Analysis Using Focus Groups
AU - Ratnapradipa, Kendra L.
AU - Houfek, Julia F.
AU - Gearhart, Phoebe
AU - Schneider, Erin O.
AU - Chasek, Christine
AU - Dinkel, Danae
AU - Cordts, Katrina M.
AU - Doyle, Marley
AU - Chaudhary, Priyanka
AU - Bhale, Deepanjali
AU - Watanabe-Galloway, Shinobu
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Kendra L. Ratnapradipa et al.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - The recruitment and retention of in-patient psychiatric mental health registered nurses (PMH-RNs) remains a challenge. This qualitative study sought to identify factors impacting the recruitment and retention of PMH-RNs in acute-care settings. Participants (N = 15) were recruited for focus groups including one with in-patient unit administrators (n = 4), two with current PMH-RNs (n = 7), and two with nursing students (n = 4). Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Participants were informed about the study's purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits, and they provided verbal consent before participating. Administrators emphasized a focus on retention and described a variety of supports they provided PMH-RNs, including formal and informal support and education. PMH-RNs' most prevalent concerns were their safety, co-worker and/or management challenges, and emotional and/or physical exhaustion. Students also expressed concerns about safety in psychiatric settings and desired more interaction with PMH-RNs. They were also interested in learning more about the specialty as they valued the opportunity to see change in patients. All three groups mentioned a need for more interaction between students and PMH-RNs, while safety concerns were expressed by both PMH-RNs and students. Because PMH-RNs play a critical role for in-patient psychiatric care, recruiting and retaining specialist nurses can focus on increasing student engagement with the PMH-RNs, attending to PMH-RNs' management and staffing concerns, and providing additional resources for responding to events that threaten safety in the workplace to prevent burnout.
AB - The recruitment and retention of in-patient psychiatric mental health registered nurses (PMH-RNs) remains a challenge. This qualitative study sought to identify factors impacting the recruitment and retention of PMH-RNs in acute-care settings. Participants (N = 15) were recruited for focus groups including one with in-patient unit administrators (n = 4), two with current PMH-RNs (n = 7), and two with nursing students (n = 4). Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Participants were informed about the study's purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits, and they provided verbal consent before participating. Administrators emphasized a focus on retention and described a variety of supports they provided PMH-RNs, including formal and informal support and education. PMH-RNs' most prevalent concerns were their safety, co-worker and/or management challenges, and emotional and/or physical exhaustion. Students also expressed concerns about safety in psychiatric settings and desired more interaction with PMH-RNs. They were also interested in learning more about the specialty as they valued the opportunity to see change in patients. All three groups mentioned a need for more interaction between students and PMH-RNs, while safety concerns were expressed by both PMH-RNs and students. Because PMH-RNs play a critical role for in-patient psychiatric care, recruiting and retaining specialist nurses can focus on increasing student engagement with the PMH-RNs, attending to PMH-RNs' management and staffing concerns, and providing additional resources for responding to events that threaten safety in the workplace to prevent burnout.
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U2 - 10.1155/2024/3167255
DO - 10.1155/2024/3167255
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85191393744
SN - 0966-0429
VL - 2024
JO - Journal of nursing management
JF - Journal of nursing management
M1 - 3167255
ER -