Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Danielle Wright-Babb

Abstract

Registered nurse shortages and high turnover rates are a problem in Canada. Few studies have been conducted that concentrate on nurse managers’ leadership styles in relation to retaining experienced registered nurses in Canada. This qualitative study was conducted to examine nurse managers’ leadership styles in relation to Canada’s declining retention of registered nurses. Leadership-motivated theory was used as a theoretical framework. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted with five registered nurses and three nurse managers, who all had a minimum of 5 years of experience in their respective roles in public healthcare centers in the province of Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Data and documents were also obtained from organizational websites for triangulation of data. Data were analyzed using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software. Analysis of the data led to the identification of three main themes and three subthemes regarding nurse managers’ leadership styles and registered nurse retention in Canada. Main themes were (a) job satisfaction, (b) retention strategies for registered nurses, and (c) nurse management assistance. Subthemes were (a) compensation and wage increase, (b) facilitating access to continuous education, and (d) appreciation. The findings of this study have potential implications for positive social change by providing health care centers with leadership strategies that could lower registered nurses turnover rate, boost retention, improve patient care, enhance registered nurses’ job satisfaction, and address the shortage of registered nurses in Canada.

Download

Share

 
COinS