Date of Conferral
10-21-2026
Date of Award
October 2026
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Michael Campo
Abstract
Nursing home nurses’ intent to leave their organization can contribute to negative organizational and patient outcomes. Nursing home leaders are concerned that nurse turnover can negatively affect patient care, productivity, and organizational performance. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify successful strategies nursing home leaders use to improve nurse retention. Herzberg’s two-factor theory provided the conceptual foundation, and the guiding research question focused on successful nurse retention strategies used by nursing home leaders. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with six senior nursing home leaders who had at least 5 years of leadership experience and had successfully implemented retention strategies. Data were analyzed to identify patterns and themes. Three themes emerged: (a) person-first culture, (b) visible and responsive leadership, and (c) workforce development and retention infrastructure. A key recommendation is for nursing home leaders to use person-centered leadership practices by knowing staff, remaining accessible, and responding to individual needs when feasible. The implications for positive social change include the potential to support more humane work environments for nursing staff and more consistent, safer care for patients and families.
Recommended Citation
Carmichael, Kristie Lynn, "Strategies That U.S. Healthcare Leaders Use to Maximize Nurse Retention" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20936.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20936
