A Single-Site Approach: Identifying the Micro-Level Influences on Nurse Retention.

Background: Persistently high turnover rates reflect nurses' discontent. Although personal reasons, career advancement, and relocation are cited as the top reasons for departures, macro-level data overlook the organizational and unit-level factors that erode nurses' desire to stay.

Methods: Survey methods were used for data collection. The analysis included statistical and qualitative methods.

Results: Salary, benefits, and work schedules were important in influencing nurses' decisions to stay, but their importance varied by career stage. Ergonomic aspects of nurses' daily work were key themes.

Conclusions: Organizational and unit elements play enduring roles in job satisfaction. Critically examining nurses' work environment from meso- and micro-level ergonomic perspectives can enhance understanding of nurse retention and provide evidence to fine-tune retention strategies.