Organizational culture and nurse’s turnover: A systematic literature review

ABSTRACT

Background: Nurses turnover is a current and international problem which is closely related to the organizational culture. Despite being widely discussed, the evidence available in the literature is dispersed and most studies only concern specific health contexts and sectors. The aim of this study is to identify scientific evidence on the factors of organizational culture associated with nurses turnover.

Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out between January 2014 and December 2018. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed through the Joanna Briggs Institute and Registered Nurses Association of Ontario guidelines.

Results: Nurses’ turnover in healthcare organizations is complex and multifactorial. The evidence shows individual and organizational factors that influence nurses’ turnover. Some retention strategies to reduce this phenomenon were also identified in literature.

Conclusions: Nursing managers should seriously consider the problem of nurses’ turnover, as it affects the productivity and quality of care provided in health organizations. By working the factors associated with organizational culture, organizational climate and leadership, it will be possible to reduce nurses’ turnover rates in different healthcare contexts. In the development of public policies, decision-makers should take into account two fundamental aspects: the needs and expectations of the population; and the stability of professional groups. It is suggested to investigate this issue in Portugal.

KEYWORDS:

• Personnel turnover
• organizational culture
• nursing
• nurses
• systematic literature review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

João Pedrosa

João Pedrosa (Rehabilitation Nursing Specialist; Degree in Nursing; Nurse at Hospital de Santa Maria - Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Portugal).

Luís Sousa

Luís Sousa (PhD in Nursing; Master in Human Resource Development Policies; Degree in Healthcare Management; Rehabilitation Nursing Specialist; Adjunct Professor at the University of Evora- Nursing Department. Integrated Member of the Comprehensive Health Research Centre. Portugal).

Olga Valentim

Olga Valentim (PhD in Nursing; Master in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies Master in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies; Nursing Specialist in Mental and Psychiatric Health; Researcher at CINTESIS – NursID group; Adjunt Professor at ESSATLA. Portugal).

Vanessa Antunes

Vanessa Antunes (PhD in Public Health – Health Care Policies and Administration; Master in Medical Surgical Nursing; Specialist in Nephrology Nursing; Adjunct Professor at the School of Nursing Egas Moniz. Integrated Member of the Egas Moniz Multidisciplinary Research Center. Portugal).