Degree Name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Program

Nursing

Date of Award

12-2017

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Florence Weierbach

Committee Members

Wendy Nehring, Angeline Bushy, Patricia VanHook

Abstract

Nurses working in the North Carolina counties of South Central Appalachia (NC-SCA) are a unique subset of nursing professionals. A continued nursing shortage is projected in this area while staffing has improved in other areas of SCA. The purpose of this research was to ascertain the level of job embeddedness of nurses working in NC-SCA in order to offer guidance regarding retention of nurses working in this area. Actively working licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists) from 29 North Carolina counties included in South Central Appalachia comprise the study population. Rural Nursing Theory alongside the concept and theory of Job Embeddedness (JE) examines organizational and community influences on retention. Data collection consisted of an online survey and included a demographic questionnaire along with the JE research instrument. Understanding what keeps these nurses on the job is beneficial to nurses, health care organizations, and patients. History of living in rural area, years at job position, intent to stay, work commute in miles, and work commute drive time were significant factors in Job Embeddedess prediction.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

Included in

Nursing Commons

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