Factors Influencing Organizational Commitment and Turnover in Nurse Residents

Background: Newly licensed RNs (NLRNs) are at risk for leaving employment in the first year. Nurse residency programs have demonstrated success for NLRN retention, yet other variables remain to be explored. Method: A retrospective correlational approach was used to determine the effect of autonomy, competence, group cohesion, structural empowerment, and job satisfaction on organizational commitment, turnover intent, and actual job turnover using secondary data of 1,498 nurse residents. Results: At 1 year post-residency, turnover intent was low. The turnover rate at year 2 was 8.3% (n = 125). Group cohesion, job satisfaction, and structural empowerment had a significant effect on organizational commitment. Organizational commitment had a significant effect on turnover intent. Conclusion: As part of the global NLRN population, findings based on the U.S. residency programs provide nursing professional development with information to foster the needs of NLRNs and nursing administrators with information to support the development and effectiveness of nurse residency programs in the organization.