Angela Wolff

2005 Research Trainee Award, Senior Graduate Studentship

The effects of individual, educational, and organizational factors on the job satisfaction, social adjustment, and career turnover of newly graduated registered nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) account for 75 percent of health care professionals. Statistics Canada predicts that demand for nursing services is expected to rise as much as 46 percent by 2011. But new nurses are leaving at an alarming rate: 15 to 21 percent of newly qualified RNs are lost to other careers or immigration. Action is needed to meet projected needs for nursing services, but little is known about the factors that affect nurses’ career decisions. Angela Wolff is surveying student nurses about the individual, educational and organizational factors that influence job satisfaction, social adjustment to the workplace, and career choices. Angela is evaluating whether professional autonomy, nursing control over the practice environment, and open, effective channels of communication are directly related to job satisfaction and commitment. This research will identify barriers to integrating new RNs into the workforce, and ways to develop a supportive work environment for beginning practitioners. Ultimately, these strategies could enhance recruitment and retention of new nurses to help address an impending shortage of nursing staff in Canada. Completed award term, April 2008

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