More than 700 RNs have already shared their expertise on this issue. What do you think are the main reasons for RN turnover? Share your expertise here.

Another night spent working an extra shift. Or being short-staffed in your unit. Hoping, praying, that you’re able to provide the kind of care you were trained to give. Many of us, when frequently faced with these conditions, contemplate leaving the profession. And a new study shows that many of us—18.5% a year, actually—end up making that decision.  Some studies put the rate even higher.

So-called “cost-cutting” measures in hospitals that lead to hospital RN turnover – like mandatory overtime, temporary workers, and understaffing--are actually costing U.S. healthcare more, not less. And the reason comes as no surprise—RN turnover ain’t cheap.

Just look at some of these numbers, compiled in an upcoming report by SEIU Healthcare:

• 18.5% of RNs leave their jobs each year (an alarming rate!)
• $82,000 - $88,000 to fill each vacancy
• $20.3 Billion in costs each year due to RN turnover – in hospitals alone!
• $143.6 Billion in costs due to hospital RN turnover by 2012, when adjusted for inflation

If hospitals could cut their average RN turnover rate in half, U.S. hospitals would save close to $11 billion every year.

Now it’s time to connect the dots. Many of us know that high turnover rates are a bellwether for bad staffing conditions—and are part of a vicious cycle of factors that produce and perpetuate short-staffing, over-reliance on temps or overtime, lower quality patient care, and lower job satisfaction. To make matters worse, studies demonstrate worse patient outcomes at these hospitals.

In the end, no one wins. The quality of patient care diminishes. Patients pay more. Nurses opt for careers outside of hospitals. And hospital administrators pay more to replace them. Does this make any sense?

What do you think are the main reasons for RN turnover? Share your expertise here. We’ll compile and report back on the results, so please share your insight and experience today!

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